As families come together during the festive season, parents can use the opportunity to connect with their children in the digital spaces they enjoy. Taking an interest in these experiences can help parents understand their children’s interests and encourage more open conversations about online safety. Gaming, for today’s children and teenagers, is no longer just a pastime; it is also a space to socialise, create and express themselves.
Here are five ways parents can make digital experiences more meaningful while building healthier online habits.
- Co-play to understand their digital world Instead of simply asking children what they do online, parents can join them in their favourite games. Co-playing offers a relaxed way to understand their interests while becoming familiar with the digital environments they navigate. On Roblox, Family Zone provides an interactive way for parents and children to explore the platform together. Dr Elizabeth Milovidov, Senior Director and Global Head of Parental Advocacy at Roblox, said, “Parents participating in their children’s digital world can help them find the right balance between protection and autonomy. For Bengaluru-based parenting and lifestyle creator Saranya Prabhu, playing Roblox with her child offered an opportunity to discover his interests firsthand. “Playing together made me realise how much there was for me to discover about Roblox’s world,” she said.
- Let children take the lead Children may sometimes prefer to share their interests rather than receive instructions. Asking them to demonstrate their favourite game, explain its features or showcase something they have created can make digital conversations more engaging. Allowing children to take the lead also helps parents better understand their online experiences. Kolkata-based parenting and lifestyle creator Papri Ganguli believes curiosity is central to digital parenting. “Digital parenting isn’t just about setting boundaries. It’s also about being curious, joining in and exploring their world together,” she said.
- Focus on online experiences, not just screen time Monitoring the number of hours children spend online is only one aspect of digital wellbeing. Parents can also ask about the content they encounter, the people they interact with and situations that make them feel uncomfortable. Such conversations can help children develop the confidence to seek guidance when needed. Roblox promotes civility through its Community Standards, safety systems and parental tools, which are designed to support respectful and positive interactions. Tami Bhaumik, Vice President of Civility and Partnerships at Roblox, said, “Healthy digital habits stem from empathy and communication between parents and children, rather than simply relying on control. The festive season, when families often spend more time together, can offer an opportunity to initiate these conversations naturally.
- Balance digital play with family time Building healthy digital habits involves setting reasonable boundaries while remaining involved in children’s interests. Screen-time limits can provide structure, while shared activities and conversations help ensure that online entertainment does not come at the expense of family time. Mumbai-based family, lifestyle and parenting creator Shifa Merchant said, “Healthy digital habits are not just about setting boundaries, it’s also about sitting beside him, playing together and giving him a space to share what he enjoys. With children’s mental wellbeing also an important consideration, small moments of connection can reinforce the value of listening, understanding and being present alongside establishing clear limits.
- Make use of parental controls and safety resources Parents can draw on digital tools to better understand and manage their children’s online experiences. Roblox’s Parental Controls allow parents with linked accounts to manage aspects such as content maturity, communication, connections, screen time and spending. Family Zone also gives parents an opportunity to explore the platform alongside their children. The objective is to provide parents with greater visibility into their children’s digital activities while allowing them to explore age-appropriate experiences with appropriate support. Dr Dan Reidenberg, founder of Safe Online Standards, said, “As we approach World Mental Health Day I am proud to have partnered with Roblox in creating the Tools for Interactive Player Safety (TIPS) guide. The newly released TIPS Guide provides youth, parents and others with practical ways to maintain a positive environment for people on the platform. I encourage everyone, and especially those with lived experience, to share the TIPS with others so that we can all have a safer online experience. ” Supporting children’s digital wellbeing need not begin with strict restrictions or difficult conversations. It can start with something as simple as sitting beside them, asking about their favourite game, listening to what they enjoy and participating in their digital world. As families spend time together this festive season, a little co-play, curiosity and communication can help parents build trust, encourage responsible online behaviour and make screen time a more connected experience. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.