What Parents Should Know About Games

A practical parent guide to what your child is playing

‘What are you playing?’

‘Just a game, dad.’

‘Just a game’ can mean very different things. Your child might be following a story alone, playing a quick match with other people, or building a world that has no real ending. Each comes with different things for you to think about.

⭐IRL: Games are a bit like playgrounds. Some are a quiet corner for your child alone, others are a busy park full of kids you've never met, and you'd want to know which one they're heading to.

Popular Genres of Mobile Games

A quick breakdown of the most popular genres of games found in mobile app stores.

Type of game	Who’s in it?	How does it end?	What to check
Action & adventure	Usually your child alone, though many have online modes with strangers	Story-driven games have a clear ending; others run level by level	Age rating — violence is common in this genre. If online modes are available, check who can chat or join
Board	Alone against the computer, or with friends or strangers online	When someone wins	Whether online play matches your child with strangers, and whether there is a chat function
Casino	Usually solo	Per round or spin — no real ending	These games simulate gambling and are not appropriate for children. Check that your child is not accessing them through another game’s store or a shared device
Casual	Usually alone	Level by level, or no clear endpoint	In-app purchases are common and often frequent. Agree on spending limits before your child downloads the game
Educational	Usually alone	Lessons or modules	Whether the game collects data, and whether the age group it is designed for actually matches your child
Puzzle	Usually alone	Puzzle by puzzle or level by level	Purchases to skip levels or unlock hints are common. Some also include social leaderboards
Racing	Alone or against others online	When the race finishes	Whether online modes allow strangers to join or chat
Role-playing	Alone, or with many others in an online world	Story-driven games have endings; online RPGs often do not	Age rating — content varies widely in this genre. In online versions, check who your child can talk to and who can contact them
Simulation	Usually alone, though some have open online servers	Rarely — these games are designed to continue indefinitely	If online servers are involved, who can join or communicate. Since there is no natural stopping point, agree on a time limit in advance
Sports	Alone or against others online	When the match ends	Whether online play is against strangers, and whether there is a chat or voice function
Strategy	Alone or with others online	When objectives are met, though some have no fixed ending	Online chat functions, and in-app purchases — common in free-to-play versions of this genre

Once you know how each type of game works, the next step is to think about what that means for your child.

What kind of playground is this?

Genre labels only tell you so much. Many games mix different types, so instead of focusing on the label, ask 4 questions:

1. Who else is in the game? Is your child playing alone, with people they know, or with people the game matches them with? Check which mode they actually use.
2. How does the game end? Some games have clear stopping points, such as the end of a level or match. Others, especially building and open-world games, don’t have a fixed ending.
3. Who makes the content? In some games, most of what your child sees comes from the developers. In others, players can build worlds, create items or communicate with each other. This can change what your child comes across.³ [Link: Age Ratings Explained]
4. What can you buy in the game? Some games are paid for upfront. Others are free to download and offer optional purchases, such as outfits, season passes or items that are awarded randomly.² Knowing what’s available can help you agree on spending boundaries before your child asks.

⭐IRL: Remember the plastic toy at the market you wanted to buy just because everyone else had one? A custom in-game item can feel the same to your child: it doesn't change how the game plays, but it can feel like fitting in.

Setting screen-time rules that fit the game

Once you know how the game works, choose a stopping point that makes sense for that type of game.

If the game has levels or checkpoints: “Let’s stop when you finish this level.”
If the game is played in matches: “Finish this match, then we’ll stop for today.”
If the game doesn’t have a clear ending: “Let’s play for 30 minutes.” Set a timer where your child can see it, so they know when it’s time to stop.

For games with other players, check the settings too: who can chat with your child and who can join their game.

Ask your child to show you the game for ten minutes. You’ll quickly see who they play with, how the game works and what they can do in it. [Link: How to Play Alongside Your Child]

The more you understand the game, the easier it is to make the rules around it work for your family.

Keep Reading: Resources for Parents

eSafety Commissioner (Australia)- Online gaming: covers staying involved, in-game purchases, gambling-like features and playing with others.
Ask About Games: free guides to individual games, parental-control walkthroughs and the Power Up Pact for agreeing family gaming rules.
PEGI- What do the labels mean?: plain-language explanations of in-game purchases and paid random items.