Are your kids obsessed with Steam? If they’re gamers, it’s probably all you hear about. And if you’re wondering is Steam safe, don’t worry. We’re here to help.
First off, you’re probably wondering what is Steam app? Is it a game? Is it a console, like Xbox or PS5? Is it an app that you install on your device? The truth is Steam is so much more that all of that combined.
Steam is a gaming platform and digital distribution service that lets players enjoy their favorite games, discuss them with likeminded gamers, and even create their own games. Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, Steam is available wherever kids need it to be.
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Is Steam Safe for Kids?
Steam seems like a lot of fun. And it can be. But is Steam safe? Unfortunately, no. And it might be even less safe than mainstream video game platforms like Xbox and PlayStation. Here’s a look at some big reasons why you should be concerned.
Some Steam Games Are Not Appropriate for Kids
If you thought the Mortal Kombat game you used to play on your Nintendo was inappropriate, wait until you see what’s on Steam. Violent games? You bet. But it gets crazier than that.
If you can imagine it, chances are you can play it on Steam. Want to pretend to work or shop at an adult toy store? You can do that on Steam. There’s a game called Hot Girls. Another called Womanizer. We’re not going to get into the gameplay of each of these clearly-not-for-kids steam games. But just consider yourself warned.
It’s Open to Predators
Steam isn’t just a video game platform. It’ s a social network. You can chat, join forums, be a part of groups, and have fun online. It’s a great way to meet new friends, but it’s also a predator’s playground.
The truth is anyone can join Steam. And that includes older men and women masquerading as kids. Anyone can pretend to be someone else and there are very few Steam safety guardrails in place to stop them.
Scammers Are Lurking Everywhere
Is Steam legit? Yes. But that doesn’t mean everyone on Steam is. In fact, the platform is littered with scammers. Search Reddit and you’ll quickly discover an unbelievable number of threads related to being scammed on Steam.
Stolen items. Hijacked accounts. Being tricked into purchasing items through Steam that you didn’t mean to purchase. It seems like everyone has been a victim of a Steam scam,
It’s a Gateway to Game Addiction
It’s no secret that video games can be extremely addictive. And the same is true about Steam.
Even if you’ve done everything possible to answer the question of is steam safe for kids confidently by adding in all kinds of parental controls, you’re going to have to contend with the reality that young minds are impressionable and it’s so easy for kids to become addicted to any habit — especially video games.
3 Ways to Protect Your Kids on Steam
1. Use Eyezy
More and more parents of kids who use Steam are discovering the power Eyezy, a super-advanced parental control app. It lets you block the apps they use on their phone. So, if they’re accessing Steam on their Android or iPhone, you can put a stop to it.
2. Take advantage of Steam Family View
Steam includes build-in parental controls called Steam Family View. It lets you set your own rules, ultimately letting Steam know what components you want accessible to your kids. You can restrict things like the Steam Store, Community, Library and more by setting a secret PIN that only you’ll know.
3. Limit Steam Wallet access
If you don’t want them to purchase Steam products without your consent, make sure you limit access to the Steam Wallet.
If the wallet is empty and not linked to your credit card, they’ll need to ask permission whenever they want to purchase something. While this isn’t a foolproof Steam safe tool, it will do a good job of making sure they aren’t buying things they shouldn’t.
Harness the Power of Eyezy for More Steam Safety
Eyezy is a great way to keep them safe on Steam — and not just because of the app blocking capabilities. With Eyezy, you can also check their browser history to find out if they’re searching for Steam games, accessing Steam forums, or doing things you don’t approve of.
There’s even a feature called Magic Alerts that lets you set keywords or key phrases. If those words or phrases come up in a chat or search, Eyezy will let you know. That means if they’re searching for things like “X-rated Steam games” you’ll know about it.
Eyezy also lets you read their texts, emails, and social media chats in apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram. So if they’re chatting about a specific Steam game you don’t approve of, or if they’re talking to a stranger they met on Steam, you’ll be able to easily find out.
You can check out the free Eyezy demo right now to see how Eyezy takes Steam safety seriously. It’s free to play round, so give it a try.
