Technology

3 Tips for Safe and Responsible Online Fun

It is practically impossible to get bored these days. Thanks to games, social media and videos on PC, tablets and smartphones, the fun world online beckons us. Research shows that an adult spends an average of 5 hours per day on his or her phone apps. We like to grab a tablet to play games, watch movies, listen to videos and read books. With the stressful lives that we live, it seems a great way to relax but like everything else, it can cause more harm than good, if we get carried away. Using these three tips, you can ensure responsible online fun for the entire family.

3 Tips for Safe and Responsible Online Fun

1. Bet Responsibly

We all know that online gambling is exciting: risking money and finally seeing your predictions come true is exhilarating. But if gambling represents a pleasant entertainment for most players, it can become a problem for some if you get addicted. Some online casino sites like Royal Vegas Australia insist upon Responsible Gaming by implementing eCOGRA’s responsible gaming requirements. The Royal Vegas Casino library is filled with hundreds of games you can try and they offer these tips to have safe and wholesome fun on their website:

  • Keep in mind that gambling is just an entertainment and to some extent this is still a game of chance.
  • Adjust your regular betting limits and deposit.
  • Play only money you can realistically spend.
  • Never consider gambling as an additional source of income.
  • Do not try to compensate your losses.
  • Set a time limit on your gambling sessions.
  • Do not let gambling interfered with your daily responsibilities.

2. Secure the Apps on Your Mobile Phone

It is not easy to find your way around the numerous types of permission for smartphone apps, especially when you first download content. On the Internet, you have to give your consent for anything and everything. Consider accepting a friend request on Facebook or by ticking the box “I agree” to the terms of a computer program that you downloaded.

Now downloading useful apps on the smartphone is becoming more popular but the rules are not as clear as those on the computer. Most people have no idea how it is with apps and permissions. This is in fact of great importance for the protection of your privacy, and your personal information. Different applications use different permission levels. An app, for example, may request access to your contact list, to your messages or photos, and even passwords for services such as Facebook and Twitter. Make sure you find out the permission settings for all apps on your phone and review them regularly.

3. Online Safety for the Entire Family

As a parent or guardian, you know what suits your family. Practical advice, however, can be useful when dealing with new technologies, gadgets, and services in an online world that is constantly changing. Here are a few quick suggestions to help busy parents make safe choices for the online safety of their families:

  1. Use technology together. This is a good way to teach about online safety, and it provides opportunities to discuss topics about online safety as they arise.
  2. Talk with your family about the sites they like to visit and what is appropriate for each family member.
  3. Teach your family to set secure passwords online. Remind children that they should not give others their passwords, except maybe to adults they trust, such as their parents. Make sure they make a habit of signing out of their online accounts when they use public computers at school, in a café or at the library.
  4. Discuss with your family what is and could not be shared publicly. Help them respect the privacy of others by keeping private personal details about family or friends and not identifying people by name in publicly shared content.
  5. Many online services (including Google) have age restrictions that determine who can use their services. For example, you must have to be of a minimum age to be able to create a Google account, and some Google products are restricted to users aged eighteen and older. Always check the terms of use of a website before you allow your child to create an account.
  6. Use antivirus software and update it regularly (unless you’re using a Chromebook, which does not need antivirus software).