Steam is an online platform where users can buy and play video games on devices like macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. With access to nearly 30,000 games, users can enjoy a wide variety of games, many of which are free or available for purchase. While games come with age requirements, it’s easy for students to bypass these, which is why parents need to understand the platform before allowing access.
What is STEAM?
- Gaming Platform: Steam is a platform where users can play, discuss, and create video games.
- Cross-Device Access: It works on different devices like computers, mobile phones, and even smart TVs, allowing users to play from almost anywhere.
- Community Features: Steam isn’t just about playing games. It also acts like a social network, where users can connect, chat, and trade items.
Where to access STEAM?
You can play Steam games on several platforms and devices:
- Windows: Steam was initially released for Windows and continues to support it extensively, offering a wide range of games.
- macOS: Steam has a dedicated client for macOS, allowing users to play many compatible titles without needing to repurchase them if they already own the Windows version.
- Linux: Steam supports Linux, providing access to a selection of games optimized for this operating system.
- Mobile Devices: The Steam mobile app is available for iOS and Android, enabling users to manage their library, purchase games, and use social features while on the move
STEAM age requirement
To create an account on Steam, users must be at least 13 years old. However, younger children can still access Steam through accounts created by older siblings or parents, although this may involve providing false information regarding their age during the account setup process
Why do children like STEAM?
- Social Features: Steam offers a community where users can chat, trade items, and play multiplayer games with friends across different devices.
- In-Game Communication: Players can use voice and text chat to connect while playing.
- Trading: Users can trade games, trading cards, and in-game items with other players, which adds another layer of interaction.
Why Should Parents Be Concerned?
- Sharing Usernames: Teens often share their Steam username to connect with others, which may expose them to strangers.
- Parental Controls: While Steam has a “Steam Family View” feature that allows parents to restrict access, it’s important to set this up to prevent younger users from accessing inappropriate games.
- Age Restrictions: Although games have age limits, it’s easy for students to bypass these and access mature content.
- Scams and Viruses: Trading items can sometimes lead to scams, and some downloads could potentially contain viruses.
How to keep children safe on STEAM?
- Get Familiar with Steam: Set up your own Steam account to explore the platform before giving your child access. This will help you understand how it works and whether it’s safe for your family.
- Set Parental Controls: Use Steam Family View to set restrictions on what your child can access and download.
- Privacy Settings: Consider making your child’s account private to prevent strangers from sending messages or interacting with them.
- Monitor Activity: Be actively involved in your child’s gaming experience. Play games together, monitor their activity, and decide as a family which games are appropriate.
- Friend Controls: Remember that users must be friends to start a chat, but group chats can allow other friends to be added without everyone knowing each other.
Parental control tools STEAM gives parents:
Steam offers several parental control tools through its Family View feature to help parents manage their children’s gaming experience:
- Family Game Library: Parents can create a curated list of age-appropriate games that children can access.
- Content restrictions: Parents can block access to games with specific content ratings or mature themes.
- Store restrictions: The ability to browse or purchase games from the Steam Store can be limited.
- Community features control: Parents can disable access to community features like chat, forums, and user-generated content.
- Profile privacy: Parents can restrict access to the child’s online profile, achievements, and screenshots.
- Purchase limitations: Parents can set password requirements on purchases to prevent unauthorized transactions.
- Steam Wallet restrictions: The ability to add funds to the Steam Wallet can be limited to control spending.
- PIN protection: Family View settings are protected by a PIN code that parents set up.
However, it’s important to note that Steam’s parental controls have some limitations:
- They don’t offer comprehensive time limit settings.
- The only way to fully filter out inappropriate content in chats and community forums is to block access to these features entirely.
- Constant parental monitoring is still recommended, as the controls are not a one-and-done solution.
How to set up parental controls on STEAM?
- Create a Steam Family:
- Go to Account Details on the Store page.
- In the Family Management section, click Create a Family and give it a name.
- Invite other family members by selecting Invite a Member and choosing the appropriate permissions (adult or child).
- Enable Steam Family View:
- Go to Account Settings > Family Management.
- Under your child’s entry, toggle the Enable Parental Controls option.
- Customize settings for game access, features, and playtime limits.
Adjusting Privacy Settings on Steam
- From your Steam Profile, click Edit Profile.
- Navigate to My Privacy Settings and choose the level of privacy you want: Public, Friends Only, or Private.
- Changes are saved automatically, ensuring your child’s account remains as secure as possible.
Dangers of using STEAM without parental controls:
- Exposure to inappropriate content:
- Steam has over 30,000 games spanning various genres and age ratings, including games with mature content like graphic violence, nudity, sexual material, and strong language.
- Even with family viewing limitations, children can still search for and discover games with mature content.
- Interaction with strangers and online predators:
- Steam’s social features like chat rooms, forums, and groups allow children to interact freely with strangers.
- This opens up the risk of encountering online predators pretending to be fellow gamers who may attempt to befriend kids, gain personal information, and exploit or groom them.
- Cyberbullying and harassment:
- Children can be exposed to toxic online behaviors like trolling, bullying, racism, and threats, especially in multiplayer interactions.
- This can negatively impact a child’s mental health, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, and other issues.
- Gaming addiction:
- Unmonitored access to Steam’s vast catalog of games can lead to gaming addiction, causing impacts on health, studies, social life, and overall lifestyle.
- Unauthorized purchases:
- Children may make unauthorized game purchases or spend money on in-game items without parental consent.
Conclusion
Steam offers an exciting platform for gaming and social interaction, but it’s important for parents to stay involved and set up proper controls to ensure their children stay safe. By setting privacy options, enabling parental controls, and monitoring activity, parents can help guide their kids to have a fun and secure experience on Steam.