I started Level Check because my child saw something inappropriate in a game that was flagged as safe. Settings, labels and reviews all help, but the thing that made the biggest difference in our house was talking about games. That means talking properly, not just "what are you playing?" shouted up the stairs. This guide shares what's worked for me as a parent.
Start from curiosity, not worry
Children can tell when a question is really a check-up. If every conversation about games starts with "is that appropriate?", they'll quickly learn to give short answers. Start by being genuinely interested in what they enjoy. Games are a big part of many children's social lives, and showing interest in that world earns you a lot of trust.
Questions that actually get answers
"How was it?" usually gets "fine". Specific, open questions work much better:
- What's the aim of the game? How do you win?
- What's the best thing you've unlocked so far?
- Who do you usually play with? Do you know them from school?
- What's the hardest bit? What makes you most annoyed?
- Has anything in it ever made you jump or feel weird?
- What do people say in the chat?
- Is there anything you want to buy in it? What does it do?
- If you could change one thing about it, what would it be?
You'll learn a lot from how they answer, not just what they say. If they suddenly go quiet, or the story changes, that's worth gently coming back to later.
Play with them, even badly
The best way to understand a game is to play it, and the best way to understand your child's experience is to play it with them. You don't need to be good. In my experience, children love teaching a parent who's hopeless at their favourite game. Twenty minutes side by side will tell you more than any review, including mine.
When you play together, look out for:
- the tone: is it silly, tense, frightening or chaotic?
- what the chat looks like
- how often the game asks for Robux
- how your child reacts when they lose.
If you can't play, watch. Sitting next to them for a few rounds of something new is one of the most useful things you can do. It's the same advice I give at the end of many of my reviews.
Let them be the expert
Children are often far more thoughtful about games than we give them credit for. Ask their opinion: "Do you think that game is OK for your little cousin?" or "Why do you think the game made that button flash?" You'll often find they've noticed the same things that worry you, and they're more likely to take a rule on board if they helped come up with it.
Agree rules together
Rules that are explained and agreed tend to stick far better than rules that are announced. Things worth agreeing:
- Which games are OK, and how a new game gets the go-ahead. For example, "we look it up first" or "we play one round together".
- When and for how long, including no scary games before bed.
- Spending: whether there's a budget, and whether mystery boxes are allowed.
- Chat: who they can talk to, and the rule that conversations never move to another app without asking.
- What happens if something goes wrong, and the promise that telling you won't get them in trouble.
Write them down if it helps, and review them on birthdays. What suits an eight-year-old won't suit a twelve-year-old.
Talk about how games are designed
One of the most useful conversations you can have is about why games work the way they do. Many of the games I review are designed to keep children playing and spending. There are idle timers, daily rewards, limited-time items, mystery boxes and paywalls that make the free option feel slow on purpose.
Children are usually fascinated, and a bit indignant, once they see the tricks. "Why do you think they made you wait five minutes unless you pay?" is a great question. My guide to Robux, spending and microtransactions lists the patterns I see most often.
Handling the tricky moments
When they've seen something upsetting. Stay calm, listen, and thank them for telling you. Ask what happened and how it made them feel. Reassure them, and agree together whether to block the game for now. If it's something serious, like a stranger asking for personal information or photos, report it and get support. In the UK, the NSPCC and CEOP have advice for parents, and children can call Childline on 0800 1111.
When they're angry. Rage quitting is common in competitive and unforgiving games. Talk about it afterwards, not in the moment. Agree a signal to take a break, and notice which games set it off. I score this as the emotional theme in every review for exactly this reason.
When you've said no. Explain why, briefly and honestly, and if you can, offer an alternative they'd enjoy. The Game Directory has a "Suitable for" filter, which makes it easy to find options for their age.
When "everyone else is playing it". It might be true. You can still say not yet, and explain what would need to change. Sometimes watching my full review together and deciding as a family works better than a flat no.
Keep the door open
The goal isn't to know everything your child does online. That isn't possible, and as they get older, it isn't healthy either. The goal is for them to feel they can come to you when something goes wrong. Every relaxed, curious conversation about games makes that more likely.
If you want a head start, look up the games your child plays in the Game Directory, read how I test them, and set up the basics in my parental controls guide. Then go and ask them to show you their favourite game. You might even enjoy it.