Is Among Us Safe for Kids? What Parents Need to Know

The popularity of Among Us skyrocketed since 2020, partly due to the lockdown and influential streamers playing it online. Beyond adults, children are now active participants in this space-themed game. If you've heard your kids using words like "sus" or "venting," chances are they're deep into the world of Among Us.

But as a parent, you might be wondering: Is Among Us safe for kids? This guide will answer that question for you.

Basic Info About Among Us

Unsafe Factors Parents Worry About

1 Will Children Be Exposed to Chatting With Strangers Online?

Among Us allows players to join public lobbies and chat with strangers, which can expose children to inappropriate language, bullying, or even predators.

For example, there are homophobes, transphobes, racists, perverts and pedophiles in the public lobbies who role-play and start NSFW chats with children.

2 Is There Violence in Among Us?

Among Us does have some cartoon violence. Imposters deceive and kill gamers, which may not be suitable for minors. It involves getting stabbed with a knife or an alien tongue, having necks broken, and being shot.

3 Is There Porn Content in Among Us?

As far as porn content goes, Among Us doesn't have any explicit scenes or ideas. However, player-generated content in public chats may be pornographic.

4 Will Among Us Trick Kids into Spending Money?

Among Us features in-game currency called "Stars," priced between $1.99 and $24.99. Additionally, there are in-game ads that can be removed with a separate in-app purchase, which may encourage kids to spend money.

5 Does Among Us Collect Data?

Among Us, like most online games, collects some user data including purchase history, email addresses, user IDs, user-generated content, and crash logs. This data is used mainly for gaming purposes and to improve the user experience. You can review their privacy policy for more information.

Is There Any Positive Value About Among Us?

First, let's take a closer look at the game.

In this multiplayer game, players are assigned roles as either Crewmates or Impostors. Crewmates work to complete various tasks around the ship, while Impostors attempt to sabotage the ship and eliminate Crewmates.

Throughout the game, players can call emergency meetings to discuss their suspicions and vote on who they believe to be an Impostor. The game continues until either the Crewmates or Impostors win.

Despite the concerns mentioned earlier, Among Us can actually teach kids some valuable skills:

• Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning: Players must use social deduction skills to identify impostors. They must observe behavior, gather information, and make judgments about who might be an Impostor.
• Social Skills: The game encourages communication and teamwork. Players need to communicate effectively and persuasively during discussions and voting periods. Crewmates must work together to win.
• Problem-solving and Quick Decision-Making: The fast-paced nature of the game hones rapid thinking. Crewmates must complete tasks effectively and solve sabotages.
• Emotional intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions during intense discussions can be valuable.
• Adaptability: The game's dynamic nature requires quick thinking and adjusting strategies on the fly.

How to Keep Kids Safe on Among Us?

Besides the unsafe factors discussed earlier, there are other potential risks associated with online gaming.

• Children may develop unhealthy habits, such as playing games late into the night. This can lead to sleep deprivation and potentially addiction.
• Additionally, playing in dark environments or with the lights off can strain their eyes and cause vision problems in the long run.
• Another overlooked risk is that third-party apps may reprocess Among Us, using snippets from the game to create content that does not align with kids' values.

1 Use Among Us In-Built Parent Controls

The game has some basic parental controls to limit chat functions, but they're only applicable to kids under 13. Children can easily bypass this limitation by claiming an older age since there's no age verification.

• Parents can use the feature of Censor Chat to block inappropriate content in chats, preventing messages about offensive material, violence, scams, and more.
• Join Quick-Chat Only Parents can manage permissions in their child's account and set up the "Quick Chat only" option rather than using free chat. Quick chat limits messages to a certain pre-approved list.
• Disabling game invitations and friend requests.

2 Use Airdroid Parental Control

While Among Us has some built-in safety features, they might not be enough to fully protect your kids from these risks.

AirDroid Parental Control provides several key features that are relevant for parents concerned about online games:

• Monitoring Online Game Chat: Worried about your child encountering predators among us? The sync notification feature enables parents to monitor online game chats, allowing them to intervene in cases of danger.
• Game Time Limits: Worried about your kid staying up all night playing Among Us? Set specific time limits for gaming apps to ensure a healthy balance between play and rest.
• App Blocking: If you decide that certain apps or games are not appropriate, you can easily block or restrict access to them.

What sets AirDroid Parental Control apart is its commitment to fostering a safe digital environment, helping children achieve balance while enjoying games like Among Us.

3 Talk To Your Kids

Open communication is key. Talk to your kids about online safety and share tips on how to enjoy gaming while ensuring their safety and privacy. Make sure they know they can come to you if anything makes them uncomfortable.

Conclusion

So, should you let your kids play Among Us? Absolutely! With the right precautions, Among Us can be a fun and engaging game for kids.

To be on the safer side, use parental controls, keep an eye on their gaming habits, and most importantly, keep the lines of communication open. Remember, the goal is to make gaming safe and enjoyable, not to be the impostor in your kid's fun!