Palos Park, Illinois – Palos Park police shared gaming safety tips to help protect children online.
According to the Palos Park Police Department, the guidance was posted Thursday on the department’s official social media page to encourage families to discuss online safety before children log in to play.
Police said online gaming can help kids connect, learn, and unwind, but it also comes with risks. The department urged parents to remind children not to share personal information, including their real name, address, school name, or phone number, with people they meet in games. Usernames should also avoid identifying details.
The department advised children to be cautious when using voice and text chat features, noting that strangers may be present in online games. If someone asks personal questions, makes a player uncomfortable, or attempts to move the conversation to another platform, children should notify a trusted adult immediately.
Officers also recommended that kids play only with people they know in real life and keep friend lists limited. If a player encounters rude, threatening, or inappropriate behavior, police said they should block and report the user rather than respond.
Additional suggestions included setting time limits to balance gaming with schoolwork, sleep, and family activities, and reviewing built-in parental controls, chat filters, and privacy settings available on most consoles and games.
The reminder may be especially relevant for students and young players who regularly interact with others online after school hours.
Police emphasized that ongoing conversations between parents and children are key to maintaining online safety.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook and support local independent news.
Have a tip? Message us.
