ROCKET LEAGUE
ROCKET LEAGUE
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MINIMUM AGE: 3+
WHAT IS IT? Rocket League is a high-energy online multiplayer game where players drive rocket-powered cars and compete in soccer-style matches. It’s fast-paced, competitive, and popular among both casual and esports players. The game is free-to-play team matches, with online matchmaking and cross-platform play. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution 🔞 Access to Inappropriate Content While Rocket League is considered family-friendly, it includes features that may expose younger players to inappropriate language, toxicity, or harassment from other players. Players' usernames may also contain offensive or explicit content. 💬 Direct Messaging and Voice Chat Players can communicate via text and voice chat, especially during online matches. Trash talk, insults, and verbal abuse are common in competitive play, and messages may not always be filtered. Players can also be added as friends and contacted outside of matches. 📱 Cyberbullying Like many competitive online games, Rocket League can foster toxic behaviour. Players may gang up on others, send rude messages, or insult teammates after losing a match. While there's a report system, it doesn't always prevent repeat offenders. 🚨 Online Predators and Grooming Although Rocket League is not a social platform, its messaging and friend system can be exploited. Predators may try to befriend younger players during matches and attempt to connect through private chats or external apps like Discord. 📢 Age Verification & Account Safety The game requires an Epic Games account to play, but doesn’t strictly verify age. Children may enter a false birthdate to bypass teen or adult restrictions. Account data is shared across platforms, so improper security could result in access from outside devices. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Public usernames, match replays, and cross-platform play mean that others can view and interact with your child. If a username contains personal information or is reused on other platforms (like YouTube or Twitch), it can lead to unwanted attention. 💸 In-Game Purchases Rocket League is free to play, but packed with in-game purchases. Players can buy car cosmetics, decals, goal explosions, and season passes using Credits (bought with real money). The game features limited-time offers, loot-like item drops, and trading, which can encourage impulsive spending or risky trades. 🔓 Scams, Unsafe Links & Item Trading The in-game trading system allows players to exchange items. This can be exploited by scammers, especially on third-party trading sites or Discord. Some players may offer unfair trades or ask for login details to "duplicate" items — these are scams. |
🛡️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 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. |
