By now you probably have heard about the 22 years old man from South Los Angeles, Cushqader Warren, who has been taken in custody for preying on children that he became friends with in Wizard101. You can read the whole article here.
But I just wanted to remind you once again, the standard safety rules for the internet. This doesn't apply to Wizard101 only, but also social media and various of websites out there.
*The Safety Rules for the Internet*
1 - Do Not Give Your Personal Information To Anybody
Don't give your real name, address, phone number, email address, so forth. Everyone knows this. But this also applies to other website on the internet that's connected to the game such as Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, so on and so on. Do not give anybody your information there either. I don't care if they claim to be a cop, a KingsIsle staff worker or someone that you're supposed to "trust." Do NOT give them your personal information.
2 - Whatever They Are Asking For In Return Is Not Worth It
A Wizard101 game card or crowns is not worth your dignity or safety. It's the same idea of a stranger approaching you in a park and offering you a candy or asking you to help them find their lost puppy, would you trust them and follow them? Of course not. It's the same thing on the internet. Don't let them blind you from the real truth.
3 - Trust Your Gut Instinct
If you feel off or not sure about that person or situation. you're probably right. Run in the opposite direction. You also should talk with your family about it immediately, so you can decide what to do together.
4 - Report Them Immediately
If you are scared to talk to your family, report them to the appropriate authority. In fact, report them no matter what, with or without your family's approval. If you met a person like Cushquader, I would recommend you report him to the police, YouTube and Wizard101. Yes all three. Cover your bases.
5. Block, Mute and Ignore Are Your Best Friends
If they harass you or you feel uncomfortable on social media or other sites, don't forget that you can always block, mute and even ignore them in game. Don't hesitate to click on those buttons.
6 - Trust Only Approved Game Sites
If you really need crowns or game cards, please only trust official game sites approved by the game company. They are approved for a reason. They are your safe places to get prizes from.
7. Take What Strangers Say With A Grain Of Salt
Doubt everything. You don't know who's on the other side of the computer screen. They could be lying about who they are, their age, their gender, where they live, and even who they work for. Be careful who you become friends with or even who you date online.
I know it's hard for people to believe that yes there are bad people in Wizard101, which is a family friendly game. But it's something I've been saying for a long time now. They are everywhere. They are hidden behind a computer screen. It's not just Wizard101, it can be any game out there. Don't let that scare you though from playing Wizard101. You just have to be careful and play smarter. Don't let them win and above all, be safe.