Steam, developed by Valve Corporation, is one of the most popular digital platforms for purchasing, downloading, and playing video games on PCs and mobile devices. (1) With over 132 million active users each month, it has become a central hub for gaming enthusiasts worldwide. It also offers social networking services where gamers can connect with each other, which means your child could interact with people who may not have their best interests in mind. Steam also allows users to live stream their gameplay and make in-game purchases through the Steam Wallet. Funds can be added to this wallet using PayPal, credit cards, or Steam Wallet codes, which are available both in physical stores and online. Think of Steam as an App Store, but specifically for video games on computers and mobile devices. With a vast library of over 100,000 games and a thriving community, Steam is a favorite among gamers. If your child enjoys gaming, they’ve likely heard of Steam or may already be using it.
Is Steam Safe?
As a parent or caregiver, you might be wondering whether Steam is safe for kids. This guide will help you understand Steam’s features, potential risks, and how you can use parental controls to protect your child while exploring the gaming world together.
Steam has several security measures in place to protect its users, including two-factor authentication, encryption protocols, and account verification. The platform also offers a reporting system that allows users to flag inappropriate behavior, such as bullying or harassment. (2) These features make Steam a relatively safe platform for purchasing and playing games. However, like any online platform, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks, especially for younger users.
Age-Appropriate Content and Ratings
One of the main concerns for parents and caregivers is the variety of content available on Steam. While the platform itself does not have age restrictions for account creation, the games available have age ratings assigned by developers and rating agencies. These ratings range from 13+ for mild content to 18+ for games with graphic violence, nudity, or adult themes.
As a parent or caregiver, it’s crucial to check the ratings and content of games before allowing your child to access them. (3)(4) Many popular games on Steam feature intense violence, sexual content, or other material that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
Potential Risks for Kids on Steam
While Steam is a well-established platform, there are several risks associated with its use by youth that parents and caregivers should be aware of:
- Despite age ratings, youth can still search for and discover games with mature content, including violence, sexual material, drug/alcohol use, and strong language. Curiosity or peer pressure might lead them to explore games beyond their age rating.
- Steam’s social features, including content sharing, live streaming, messaging, online chat, online relationships, photo and video sharing, screen capture, and voice chat, allow users to interact with others, including strangers. Unfortunately, these interactions can expose your child to the risk of encountering online predators or scammers who may try to exploit or groom them.
- Multiplayer games can often expose players to toxic behavior, such as trolling, bullying, and hate speech. Some games are known for their verbally abusive player communities, which can negatively impact a child’s mental health.
How to Make Steam Safer for Your Child
To ensure a safer experience for your child on Steam, you can take advantage of the platform’s parental controls and other protective measures:
- Steam offers a feature called Family View, which allows parents to limit access to certain games, the Steam Store, and social features. (5) These settings can be locked with a PIN code, making it more difficult for your child to bypass them.
- You can set up password requirements and additional authentication for purchases. This prevents unauthorized transactions and helps you control your child’s spending on the platform which is extremely important.
- Steam Guard adds an extra layer of security by requiring a one-time passcode for logging in from new devices. (6)
- Disable or restrict access to chat, forums, and groups. By doing so, you reduce the risk of your child encountering inappropriate content or interacting with strangers.
- Regularly check your child’s gaming activity, including the games they play and the time they spend on the platform. This will help you stay informed and intervene if necessary.
- Learn by doing – engage with your child in their online gaming.
Steam can be a safe and engaging platform for your child, but it requires active involvement from parents. By setting up appropriate restrictions, monitoring your child’s activities, and educating them about digital literacy and online safety, you can help them enjoy the positive aspects of gaming while minimizing potential risks (7) – something that we speak to in our FREE web book for parents where we dedicate a whole chapter to online gaming (8)
While Steam offers a vast and engaging world of gaming, it also comes with potential risks, especially for younger users. Ultimately, the decision to allow your child to use Steam should be based on your judgment and your child’s maturity level – remember, the right tech at the right time.
With the right precautions in place, such as utilizing Steam’s parental controls, monitoring gaming habits, and having open and engaged conversations about online safety, Steam can be a fun and better-controlled environment for your child’s gaming adventures. However, free-range access, especially for preteens and younger teens, is not something we would recommend. As with everything we do in today’s onlife world, your active involvement and guidance are crucial in helping your child navigate the digital world in a safer and more responsible way.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Feelings, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
References:
1/ https://store.steampowered.com
2/ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4DE7-17AA-0E8B-C1AD
4/ https://www.commonsensemedia.org/reviews/age/16/category/game
5/ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6B1A-66BE-E911-3D98
6/ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/06B0-26E6-2CF8-254C
7/ https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/gaming-consoles/steam/
