Arijit Dutta

PARENTAL ADVISORY: Protecting Children from Online Multiplayer Gaming Risks & Financial Losses We have noticed an increasing number of cyber fraud complaints reported to our Cyber Crime PS which, upon investigation, reveal no hacking or outsider involvement. Instead, these instances often involve a child making unauthorized in-game purchases using saved cards or autofilled UPI details on a family device. A significant share of these cases trace back to a grandparent’s phone, which is more likely to have saved payment credentials, active UPI apps, or open net banking, and is less likely to be closely monitored. Among children, especially boys aged 10 to 17, daily conversations and free time increasingly revolve around popular battle royale games like Free Fire MAX. Peer status in these groups has unfortunately become tied to owning expensive virtual skins, Elite Pass tiers, and rare items from paid draws, which creates an intense pressure on them to spend money. Devices originally handed over for online classes are frequently being repurposed for unsupervised, late-night gaming sessions. This trend is most visible where parents work long hours, have limited digital familiarity, or leave devices completely unrestricted. It is crucial to note that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes 'Gaming Disorder' as a disease characterized by impaired control over gaming, which continues despite negative consequences. It is associatively linked to aggression, academic decline, severe sleep loss, eye strain, and reduced social interaction. To protect our children and secure family finances, parents must act proactively. Please remove all saved cards and UPI autofill details from any device a child has access to, including grandparents' phones, and require a PIN or biometric verification for every single transaction. Ensure that you enable parental controls and purchase approvals in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, alongside active transaction alerts on your mobile. If providing a payment option is an absolute necessity, give your child a separate, low-balance prepaid instrument instead of access to your primary bank accounts. We also advise setting and enforcing consistent screen-time limits, engaging in open conversations with your child about their gaming habits, and switching off the home Wi-Fi router after a set time at night if no essential services are active. Please watch closely for falling grades, disturbed sleep, irritability, secretiveness, or loss of interest in other activities, and do not hesitate to consult a school counselor or psychologist if these signs persist. This is not a verdict against gaming, but a sincere appeal for monitored access to prevent financial loss and vulnerability to online grooming or abuse. The Hyderabad City Police is always available for support and to conduct awareness and outreach sessions for schools and communities upon request. #CyberSafety #ParentalAdvisory #HyderabadPolice #OnlineGaming #ChildSafety