Counter-Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO)
CS:GO
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MINIMUM AGE: 18
WHAT IS IT? Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a highly competitive, first-person shooter (FPS) game where players join either a terrorist or counter-terrorist team to complete objectives such as planting/defusing bombs or rescuing hostages. It is widely played online, with ranked matchmaking, community servers, and eSports tournaments. CS:GO is free-to-play but monetised through weapon skins, cases, and other in-game purchases. WHAT WE SAY: Not suitable for children. 🔞 Access to Inappropriate Content CS:GO contains realistic violence, blood, and terrorist themes. Players are often exposed to explicit language and offensive behavior through voice and text chat. Some community servers and custom maps may include inappropriate content (e.g., suggestive themes or offensive mods). 💬 Direct Messaging and Chat The game features unfiltered voice and text chat by default. Players frequently encounter swearing, slurs, and toxic behaviour - especially in competitive matches. Mute and block options exist, but younger players may still be exposed before these are used. 📱 Cyberbullying Toxicity and verbal abuse are common, especially in ranked play. Players may be harassed, blamed, or mocked for underperforming. This environment can be psychologically distressing for teens and children. Griefing and in-game trolling are also widespread. 🚨 Online Predators and Grooming While CS:GO is less commonly used for grooming than social games like Roblox, there is still a risk. Players may befriend children, move conversations to third-party apps (e.g., Discord, Steam messaging), and manipulate them socially. Parents should be aware of who their child is interacting with online. 📢 Account Safety & Age Verification Steam (required to play CS:GO) asks for age at sign-up but has no robust age verification process. Children can easily lie about their age to access mature content. CS:GO does not restrict mature content based on age settings within the game itself. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Player usernames, profiles, inventory, and in-game behavior are public by default. Many users link their social media or Discord info, and players can receive friend requests from strangers. Personal data may be indirectly revealed through profile info or conversations. 💸 In-Game Purchases & Gambling CS:GO includes an in-game economy built around collectible weapon skins, which can be bought, sold, or traded for real money. Rare skins are often worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Some third-party websites facilitate skin gambling, where players (often minors) bet on games of chance using skins as currency—despite regulations. Important Note: Gambling with skins has been tied to legal controversy and addiction-like behaviour in teens. 🔓 Scams, Unsafe Links & Account Theft CS:GO’s trading system and skin value make it a prime target for scammers. Players are frequently sent phishing links or approached with fake trade offers designed to steal valuable skins or account access. Many YouTube or Discord scams also target CS:GO players with promises of free skins. 🎧 Toxic Gaming CultureCS:GO has a long-standing reputation for toxic behaviour, including rage, harassment, trolling, and hate speech. This is especially common in competitive matches, where team coordination is crucial and tempers run high. New or younger players are often targets. 🧠 Addiction and Screen TimeThe competitive and fast-paced nature of CS:GO can make it highly addictive, particularly with ranking systems that reward long hours of play. Children may stay online for extended periods trying to "rank up" or maintain their standing. 🚨Exposure to Pro-Level Play and Gambling InfluencersCS:GO has a huge eSports and streaming community, some of which glamorise risky behavior like skin gambling or unregulated betting. Many influencers present these activities as exciting or harmless, which can normalise gambling for impressionable viewers. 🕵️ Steam Platform RisksBecause CS:GO runs on Steam, parents need to monitor the entire platform, not just the game. Through Steam, children can:
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🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
This game is not suitable for children and young people! 📲Understand the game Familiarise yourself with the games features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. CS:GO allows both mute single players by blocking their communication in the scoreboard or disable voice messages completely. 👨👧Parental supervision Check their interactions and adjust privacy settings accordingly. 💸Limit In-App Purchases Set spending limits or disable in-app purchases on your device to avoid accidental or excessive spending. 🚨Avoid Unofficial Downloads Stick to downloading the game from official sources (like the App Store or Google Play) to avoid malware, data breaches, or compromised versions. 📢Underage Accounts This game might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targeting children and young people. 👥Manage friend requests Teach your child only to accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background—it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behaviour less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. |
