(NC) The hardest thing about playing games used to be keeping your opponent from peeking at your Scrabble tiles. But the popularity of today’s interactive video games, such as Fortnite or Minecraft, means players have to be careful about protecting a lot more than just their letters.

Gaming consoles with Wi-Fi, smartphones, and computers allow players into an online world of opponents and partners. They interact as easily with the kid next door as with a stranger halfway around the world.

But it’s not just anonymous players that kids have to think about. Game developers and console manufacturers can track, measure and analyze online activity. This information can be used to market to kids or for other commercial purposes.

As a parent, helping your children navigate their online world starts with talking about the games they play, apps they use and social media sites they visit. Find out what personal information they might be asked to share. To understand the gaming world kids play in, try out the latest in phone, tablet and gaming technology yourself.

Children need to understand the importance of minimizing the personal information (including their name, photograph, address, phone number, email address or password) they give out while playing games or on social media.

In our increasingly connected world, they also need to understand the importance of protecting passwords, whether it’s for a smart phone, gaming console, social media account or debit card. Parents who ask their children to share their passwords need to make it clear that it is a special exception — between them and their parents. Remind young people never to share their passwords, not even with their closest friends.

Learn about protecting your children’s privacy at youthprivacy.ca.