Parent training video

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What is the Rules of Survival game?

• Rules of Survival is a battle royale style game, similar to Fortnite
• Up to 300 people play in an arena until there is only 1 player left standing
• Players parachute out of a plane and into the arena
• Firearms and accessories are scattered around the arena for players to grab
• As the game progresses, the arena gets smaller and players outside of the playing zone will take damage
• Minimizing the arena during the game forces players to get closer together and have more encounters
• Users can play “Solo”, as a “Duo”, as a “Squad” of 4, or as a “Fireteam” of 5 players
• As of this review, there are 2 arenas to choose from: Ghillie Island, which allows up to 120 players and Fearless Fiord, which allows up to 300 players at a time
• After each round, players earn currency in the game that can be used for cosmetic items
• Players earn currency based on survival length and number of players killed
• Even though players are fighting each other, there is no gore in the game
• Rules of Survival is available on PC, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Steam
• The game is free to play on every platform, except Steam, and sells in-app purchases
• Without explanation, the game was temporarily removed from the Steam platform

Why should parents care?

• Even though the Rules of Survival app isn’t as talked about as other battle royale style games, like Fortnite, it is still incredibly popular. Over 150 million people play Rules of Survival
• Some of the character’s outfits can be suggestive
• Users have reported that the game quickly drains battery
• Students can come across profanity or inappropriate language from other players through text or voice chatting

What users say about Rules of Survival:

There is no point to this game all you do is kill people over and over.

It has real people talking and they say bad words.

Source: iTunes

The negative effects of video games on kids

A Canadian study from McGill University shows that human-computer interactions, such as playing video games, can have a negative impact on the brain. The study went on to list the negative effects video games can have on children:

• Noticeable changes to behavior
• Ignoring or not prioritizing responsibilities or interests over game time
• Continuing to play games despite the negative impact it may have
• Difficulty sleeping or changes in sleep patterns
• Declining grades or difficulty in school
• Can lead to social isolation
• Poor time management skills

Teen video game statistics

• 97% of teens ages 12-17 play computer, web, portable, or console games
• 50% of teens played games “yesterday”
• 86% of teens play on a console like the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii
• 73% play games on a desktop or a laptop computer
• 60% use a portable gaming device like a Sony PlayStation Portable, a Nintendo DS, or a Game Boy
• 48% use a cell phone or handheld organizer to play games
• 27% play games with people who they connect with through the internet
• 82% play games alone, although 71% of this group also plays with others
• 27% of teens play online games with people they first met online
• Nearly two-thirds (63%) of teens who play games report seeing or hearing “people being mean and overly aggressive while playing”
• 49% of teens report seeing or hearing “people being hateful, racist, or sexist” while playing
• 32% of gaming teens report that at least one of their three favorite games is rated Mature or Adults Only
• The amount of time children spent playing violent video games was related to how physically aggressive the child behaved 4 months later
• 90% of eighth to twelfth graders reported that their parents never checked video game ratings before purchase and 89% reported never having their video game time limited
• Children who reported that their parents have rules about how much time the child could spend watching television or playing video games were less likely to exceed recommended time limits compared with children who did not report that their parents had rules

Sources: Pew Internet&Cornell University

What can parents do?

• Before giving them access to the game, teach your children to have a healthy balance when it comes to screen time and time spent offline. Set screen time limits before giving students access to devices
• Consider playing the game with your child to help determine if it is a good fit for your family
• Consider using a visual timer, like an egg timer or phone timer, to track how much time they have left to play
• Parents can use the parental controls on their child’s device to restrict their ability to play the game
• Talk about spending guidelines with your children and ensure that they ask before downloading any new apps or making any in-app purchases
• Teach students to never share personal information with strangers online or in games

Conclusion

While the Rules of Survival game isn't in the news as much as Fortnite, it's still incredibly popular with students. Following the battle royale game style, players fight up to 300 other people until there is only one player left. Parents should be aware that children can talk to other players in the game, some of the character's outfits can be suggestive, and there are in-app purchases. If your child really wants to play the game, we recommend that you play the game first to see if it's a good fit for your family. Parents of older students should consider playing in a "Duo" with their child and then talking about their experiences afterwards. Find the "bright side" of technology and use video games in moderation to bond with your children.Video games are not going to go away, so it's important to learn how to protect your children. Model positive screen time behaviors for your kids, have regular discussions about digital safety, and help them develop a healthy relationship with screen time.

‍What are your favorite tricks for keeping your kids safe when they play video games? Please let us know in the comments below!