It is very common for children to be gaming online. This is often an important part of their development and how they socialise. But, it can create opportunities for exploitation online.
Exploitation online can include children receiving gaming credits/money in exchange for sending indecent images.
Exploiters can also ask for their gaming/bank details so that they can launder money through the child's account. It is important that children don’t talk to people online that they don’t know in real life.
Skins: These are avatars that come with most games. Changing your ‘skin’ usually requires a financial cost and certain skins are more desirable/cost more.
Nube or Noob: This refers to the ‘skin’ that a player has when they start a game for the first time. Nube is a slang term for a ‘newbie’.
Nube often has negative connotations and most young people will want to buy a new skin quickly to avoid being referred to as a Nube. Nube’s are known to be targeted for exploitation online as they will be encouraged to do things in exchange for gaming credits/gift cards.
We would suggest a parent consider uploading a small amount of credit to the game. This enables your child to change their ‘skin’ straight away.
Loot boxes: These are often earned or bought in gaming apps. They are like scratch cards in that you do not know what the prize may be. These can be gifted by exploiters through the game.