READY OR NOT
READY OR NOT
|
MINIMUM AGE: 18+
WHAT IS IT? Ready or Not is a tactical first-person shooter (FPS) where players take on the role of SWAT officers responding to high-risk situations like hostage rescues, active shooters, or bomb threats. It emphasizes realistic weapons, decision-making under pressure, and adherence to strict rules of engagement. As of 2025, Ready or Not is now available on newer platforms including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with extreme caution. ✅ POSITIVE THEMES
⚠️ KEY CONCERNS 🔞 Access to Inappropriate Content: Ready or Not includes highly realistic depictions of gun violence, blood, and graphic injury detail. Players may encounter situations involving civilian casualties, armed suspects, and intense hostage scenarios. Some missions portray deeply disturbing content such as school shootings, domestic abuse, drug raids, or bomb threats - often with minimal emotional filtering. 📢 Lack of Moderation & Age Vertification There is no robust system to verify or restrict access based on actual age. 🔐 Privacy Concerns While Ready or Not doesn’t require personal information beyond a game account, using third-party mods, custom servers, or voice chat platforms (like Discord) can expose usernames or data. 🗣️ Voice Chat Voice chat is enabled by default on Ready or Not. It features online multiplayer lobbies where players are automatically grouped with others from around the world. In these public matches, players can communicate freely using voice and text chat - even without being on a friend list. This means your child may be exposed to unfiltered conversations with adults, including offensive language, inappropriate jokes, or graphic discussions that are not moderated in real time. 💬 Direct Messaging Ready or Not now includes in-game messaging features on new platforms like PlayStation 5. Players can receive private messages from anyone they encounter in public games, including strangers with unknown intentions. Direct messages can be used for bullying, insults, or unwanted pressure. These messages are unmonitored, increasing the risk of harmful interactions. 📱 Cyberbullying and Harassment Online matches can expose players to toxic behaviour, especially through voice chat. Verbal abuse, trolling, and aggression toward new or underperforming players are common. This can negatively affect confidence and enjoyment - especially for younger or sensitive users. 🧑💻 Online Predators & Grooming Because Ready or Not involves online play with unmoderated voice and text chat, there is a risk that online predators could try to contact and groom younger or vulnerable players. Grooming involves building trust to exploit or manipulate someone, often through private messaging or repeated interaction. Since the game lacks strong age verification and chat moderation, children might be exposed to inappropriate conversations or advances. 💸 In-Game Purchases Expansion packs, cosmetic items, or weapon skins can all be purchased online. While the base game requires a purchase, these extra items are optional but can add up over time. Parents should be aware of the potential for unexpected spending and consider setting spending limits or requiring permission before purchases are made. 🧠 Addiction & Mental Health The game’s intense realism and emotional themes (e.g., trauma scenarios, violence) can have a psychological impact. Long play sessions, exposure to graphic content, or obsession with ranked performance can contribute to stress, burnout, or desensitisation. 🎮 Game Concerns Ready or Not contains disturbing real-world scenarios not typically found in other shooters. Players engage in raids involving schools, homes, or nightclubs. These missions, while designed for realism, can be emotionally jarring or triggering. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲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. 👨👧Parental supervision Ready or Not offers parental control features on newer platforms like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. On PS5, you can set up comprehensive parental controls through the Family Management settings. 💸Limit In-App Purchases You can 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 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. 
|
