Tips for parenting a gamer daughter in today’s digital world

How to support your daughter’s passion for gaming

Gaming is a popular pastime for many children; girls are no exception. While gaming can be fun and rewarding, there are a few things to be aware of when parenting a gamer daughter. 

Girls often face unique challenges in the gaming world. These challenges can include harassment from other players and stereotypes around your abilities as a female gamer.  
Girls are also not well-represented in gaming, leading to a lack of role models for young female gamers.

You might wonder, ‘Is gaming safe for my daughter?’ As a parent, it’s crucial to understand girls' issues in the gaming world to provide the necessary support to ensure your daughter enjoys a positive gaming experience. 

This guide will explore the challenges girls face in gaming and offer girl gaming advice for parents on how to support, prepare, and protect your child if she loves gaming.

Understanding girl gamer challenges:

If your daughter loves to play video games online, it’s important to recognize the challenges she may face in the gaming world. From online harassment and gender bias to a lack of strong female role models, these issues can make it harder for girls to feel confident and included while gaming.

Parenting female gamers means knowing they might not receive the same encouragement and acceptance in gaming as boys, and being ready to prepare and support them. 
Here are 5 important aspects of girls' gaming experience parents should be aware of.

1. Female gamer harassment and discrimination 

Unfortunately, online gaming can sometimes be a hostile environment for girls. They may encounter gender-based harassment, including derogatory comments, sexist remarks, and even bullying. Girls report feeling excluded, harassed, or bullied when taking part in online gaming with male players, and parents should consider how to protect their daughters from cyberbullying in these situations.

Feeling excluded from the online community around your favorite hobby can affect kids deeply.

This can make gaming less enjoyable and more stressful, and could be part of why we don’t see many girls in gaming communities. Parents have to prepare for protecting their daughters from toxic gaming environments and behavior, and help them deal with these issues if they arise.  

2. Virtual underrepresentation 

Girls have historically been underrepresented in games themselves when it comes to being able to choose female characters. 

Additionally, how girls are represented in video games can also contribute to the gaming community’s attitude towards girls in gaming. 

Female characters in video games are often portrayed in stereotypical or objectifying ways, not showing the nuances, diversity, and strengths of female gamers. 

This lack of diverse and relatable characters might make some girls feel excluded or less engaged with the games they play.

3. Stereotypes and bias 

Supporting girls in male-dominated hobbies has always been important, and gaming is no exception. The stereotype that “gaming is for boys" can lead to girls feeling like they don’t belong in the gaming world, and don’t receive the same respect and acceptance.
 
Gender stereotypes in games and bias may show up in comments from peers, family members, or even within the broader gaming community, making it challenging for girls to embrace their love for gaming.

4. Limited female role models

The gaming industry has fewer prominent female gamers, developers, and streamers compared to their male counterparts. This lack of visible role models for girls who love games can make it harder for girls to envision themselves as part of the gaming community or to pursue gaming-related careers.

Also, in e-sports and the broader gaming community, there are few girls as well as women streamers for kids to follow. As a young female gamer just starting to embrace your new hobby, it can be discouraging not to have role models and meet other fellow female gamers with the same interests.

5. Pressure to perform 

Girls who game may feel extra pressure to prove themselves, especially in competitive environments. They might struggle with pressure to prove themselves and gain respect, while being up against a stereotype that girls are not as good as boys in gaming.  

This pressure can lead to stress, anxiety, and a fear of being judged more harshly than their male peers, and make it harder to build gaming confidence for girls.

How parents can support their daughter's love for gaming

As a parent, your support can make all the difference. Whether your daughter is casually gaming or dreaming of a career in the industry, showing genuine interest in her gaming world helps her feel seen, heard, and encouraged.

1. Promote positive gaming communities: Encourage your daughter to engage with positive and inclusive gaming communities. These can be online forums or social media groups that promote respect and kindness.
Being part of a supportive community can help her feel more confident and less isolated. Make sure to join games and other players who are respectful and inclusive.

2. Address harassment and bullying: If your daughter experiences harassment or bullying while gaming, take it seriously. Discuss the issue with her and let her know not to tolerate such behavior. Report abusive players through the game’s reporting system and encourage her to block or mute users who harass her. Ensure she knows that her safety and well-being are your top priorities.

3. Highlight female role models: Introduce your daughter to female gamers, streamers, and developers who are making a name for themselves in the industry. This can help her see that women have a place in the gaming world and that her passion for gaming is both valid and valued.

4. Discuss the importance of representation: Talk to your daughter about the importance of representation in gaming. Discuss how characters are portrayed and encourage her to think critically about the games she plays. This can help her navigate the gaming world with a more informed and empowered perspective.

How parents of boys can help

Parents of boys also play a crucial role in fostering a positive gaming environment for everyone, including girls. The best way to support our girls in gaming is when we are raising boys to support female gamers. 

Here is how to raise respectful gamers:

1. Teach respect and inclusivity: Encourage your sons to be respectful and inclusive when gaming, whether they’re playing with friends or strangers. Discuss the importance of treating all players equally, regardless of gender, and discourage the use of derogatory language or behavior.
   
   
2. Model positive behavior: Set an example by modeling respectful behavior when gaming or discussing games. Boys are more likely to follow your lead if they see you valuing diversity and being inclusive.
   
   
3. Address stereotypes: Challenge the stereotypes about girls and gaming. Encourage your son to see gaming as a hobby for everyone, not just boys, and discuss how diversity can make gaming more enjoyable and enriching.
   Talk about how he can be aware of any unfair treatment or prejudices that girls might face in gaming, and what he can do to not contribute to this culture
   
   
4. Support female gamers: Encourage your son to support and uplift female gamers. That could mean speaking up against harassment and being welcoming to girls in gaming groups, or simply being a good friend and teammate. Teaching boys to be allies helps create a more positive gaming culture for all players.
   
   

Supporting daughters in their gaming interests is more than just allowing them to play games and take an interest in the games they play. It’s about understanding the unique challenges girls may face and providing the guidance and protection they need to navigate the gaming world confidently. 

Additionally, boys can contribute by fostering respect, inclusivity, and allyship in the gaming community. Together, these efforts will help create a safer, more welcoming environment for all gamers.