• Family Settings
• Family Guide to Video Gaming (PDF)
• Play Smart, Play Safe Survey 2009
• Play Smart, Play Safe Survey 2007

Play Smart, Play Safe!

Welcome to Xbox Play Smart Play Safe!

The online world is the world of today’s child.  It can sometimes seem a little mystifying, which presents a challenge for parents when they seek to understand what their child is playing, what they are looking at, and who they are talking to. It can be frustrating, and even cause family friction. How can we keep our kids safe without restricting the benefits of the connected world?

The Future of the Video Gaming Industry in Europe was one of the break out sessions at the 2009 Growth and Innovation Day which took place in Brussels. During the session various aspects of the industry were discussed including innovation and creativity, the contribution this industry makes to the European economy, the need for corporate responsibility and particularly the importance of creating an online environment that is safe for kids. Below is a short video with the highlights of the session.

For two years running, we have been asking parents what they think about their kids’ activities online, particularly looking at video gaming.  Our most recent survey showed us that parents feel video gaming can be good for their kids. 

• 61% think gaming is a positive form of social interaction.
• More than half (52%) think it brings their families together. 
• Three quarters of parents think video games can be educational.

That’s all good news – but while there are many positives, Microsoft realizes that it is important to be aware of, and have the tools to deal with, the potential dangers too. In November 2007, Microsoft’s ‘Play Smart Play Safe!’campaign was launched. The campaign arose from the need for parents to be fully aware of what their children can benefit from online - fun and excitement, the opportunity to connect with and make new friends, learning, games, and activities – as well as potential pitfalls.

The ‘Play Smart Play Safe!’ campaign aims to educate parents about the various tools Microsoft has made available to help create a safer gaming and online environment for kids. Microsoft’s Family Settings is a set of tools you can put in place on your PC or Xbox 360 that can control when and for how long your child plays video games, online access, access to age- and content- inappropriate games, and even who your child contacts when online. To learn how to find and use Family Settings, please see our online brochure here, or watch our video guide here. By activating Family Settings on your computer or Xbox, you will help the whole family have safer, smarter gaming fun together.

Microsoft also supports and uses the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) and PEGI Online age rating systems. Just like with movies, video games in most EU countries are given a rating – telling parents whether that game is suitable for their child. The rating is based on a number of factors like how scary the game is or whether there is adult content. Most European countries use the PEGI system, which was established in 2003 to help parents make informed decisions about buying interactive games for their children. PEGI labels are used in the EU for games considered appropriate for children up to the age of 18. For more information, watch the PEGI video here. The PEGI ratings are administered by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe.