‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’ (COD) is an online first-person shooter game. It’s available on PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One. COD allows players to choose different game modes, including a multiplayer mode, ‘Zombies’ mode and a ‘Blackout’ mode. In the game, players can customise their character and weapons. It has an age restriction of 18+ and has extremely violent themes, including language not suitable for those under the age of 18.

What parents need to know about Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

• COD-Guide-May-19.pdf

Children's Devices

Children are using smart devices from a much younger age than ever before. Therefore it’s essential we talk to our children about how to use them safely. There are many positive benefits to the new technology at our disposal these days – but there are plenty of downsides too. As a parent or carer, it’s important you understand these risks and how you can take steps to protect your family against them.

• NOS-Childs-Devices-2019.pdf

There’s a very good chance you’ve heard of Fortnite, but what exactly is it? And why is it so popular amongst young people?

Fortnite is an online multi-player “battle royale” game developed by Epic Games, and is playable on Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobiles.

It gained popularity in late 2017 and has since become the biggest game in the world, thanks to its rapid and engaging gameplay.

Parent Guide

The Switch is classed as a hybrid because it’s designed to be played both at home like a traditional console (think a PlayStation or an Xbox) or as a portable console, like a GameBoy. 

Switch games can be played on the internet with the purchase of Nintendo Switch Online, presenting new online safety, e-shopping and screen time challenges for parents.

Top Tips for Parents

• Nintendo-Switch-July-2019.pdf

With concerns about escalating screen-time, the impact of violence, unexpected costs and interloping strangers it can be tempting to lock down video games to limit their negative impact.

While some sensible boundaries are helpful, they are only a short term solution for how we guide children towards gaming health.

Read this guide for some helpful parenting tips.

Parent Guide

• Parenting-Gamers_F.pdf

Virtual Reality is the practice of creating computer-generated images or sometimes even entire worlds for a user to experience as if they were there. 

While virtual reality is perfectly safe on the whole (although sometimes you might feel like you’re in real, physical danger) there are some things to look out for if you plan on giving it a try.

Safety Guide

• Virtual-Reality_August_2019.pdf

Houseparty is a great way to speak live-time to multiple people in different locations. It seems like the perfect way to keep in touch during these difficult times. But is the app safe? What should parents be aware of? And how can you protect your child’s privacy? 

Created by the team at National Online Safety, this guide explores the main features that have made Houseparty so popular and the key themes that parents need to know about.

LIKE (soon to be rebranded as Likee) is a free video creation and editing app similar to TikTok. It has a global community of over 200 million users who can create any type of video, add their own special effects and then upload and share them with the world. The app is largely used to create short music videos which users can star in and edit anyway they want using the “Magic Video Maker.” Users share their videos on the platform as well as having the option to share across other social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram. Due to the suggestive content that is available on the app, it has a recommended age of 16+, although the app store rate it as 17+.

What every parent needs to know about Like

• NOS-Like-Online-Safety-Guide.pdf

Omegle is a free online chat service which encourages users to either text or video chat with other users through their website. Individuals do not have to sign up nor register any details and the platform has very few content restrictions. Its slogan is ‘Talk to strangers!’.

Parents - be aware of the associated risks. Check what your children are doing online.

Snapchat is a photo sharing app for mobile phones and tablets. The app allows users to share images for a limited number of seconds, chat with users before messages disappear, and share images with their friends list through a ‘story’. The age restriction is 13+.

• Snapchat-Parents-Guide-May-2019.pdf

Chances are you may not have heard of Steam. In very simple terms, it’s an online marketplace where individuals can buy, download, stream and play PC games. There’s an extensive library of games available but it also has a built-in chat function and means you have to provide personal information when signing up.

Tumblr is a popular social media platform and microblogging site with over 463 million blogs on its platform. In Europe you must be over 16 to sign up, but the age limit is just 13 elsewhere. However, in both cases, age verification is limited. The platform is designed to share different types of content, such as videos, photos or short articles. People can react to each other’s content, share items they like, and even interact through the platform with direct messages.

Please read through this Online Safety Guide for Parents

Tumblr Online Safety Guide

• NOS_Tumblr_May_19.pdf

YOLO is an anonymous question and answer app that works in combination with Snapchat. In May 2019 it became the most downloaded app in the UK iTunes store only a week after its release and with no prior marketing or promotion. It has become hugely popular amongst children, particularly teenagers, as it offers them the opportunity to join in anonymous Q&A without having to reveal their identities, which often encourages more honest and open peer feedback. It has an age restriction of 13+.

YOLO Parents' Guide

• YOLO-Parents-Guide-May-2019.pdf

Pokemon Go.pdf