Last Updated on January 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Smart Gaming: How Parents Can Keep Kids Safe Online

(Family Features) Playing video games can be a fun, social experience. However, online gaming also poses real risks, especially for kids. As a parent, you don’t necessarily need to be a gamer yourself to help keep your children safe when the controller is in their hands.

Consider taking proactive steps like these to create a healthy online gaming environment for kids of all ages.

Check System Privacy Settings
As a first line of defense – before your child even starts gaming – spend some time in the device or console privacy settings. Here you can turn off sharing, disable location tracking, limit microphone and camera access and restrict how other users can interact with your child’s profile. Similarly, many games and platforms include built-in privacy settings that can be tailored to your child’s age and online experience. These settings may allow you to limit who can view your child’s profile or send a friend request, message or voice chat.

Research Games
Because not all games are created equal, look up game ratings through a service such as ESRB before buying or downloading to understand the maturity level of the game and determine if it’s appropriate for your child. To take it a step further, read reviews from other parents or watch gameplay videos to see if you deem not only the content but also the social interaction acceptable.

Use Facial Age Estimation
Online platforms are increasingly looking for ways to keep users safe, and that includes added levels of verification. As part of a multilayered approach to safety, Roblox is the first online gaming platform to require age checks for users of all ages to access chat features, enabling age-appropriate communication and limiting conversations between adults and minors. These secure age checks are designed to be fast, easy and secure using Facial Age Estimation technology directly within the app.

“Our commitment to safety is rooted in delivering the highest level of protection for our users,” said Matt Kaufman, chief safety officer at Roblox. “By building proactive, age-based barriers, we can empower users to create and connect in ways that are both safe and appropriate.”

Once age-checked, users are assigned to one of six age groups: under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20 or 21 and older, ensuring conversations are safe and age appropriate. Age checks are optional; however, features like chat will not be accessible unless an age check is completed. Chat is also turned off by default for children under age 9, unless a parent provides consent after an age check.

Keep Personal Information Private
It’s seldom a bad idea to be extra cautious when interacting with strangers online, even if they seem friendly enough while playing the game. Teach children what information not to share, including their full name, address, birthday, school name, phone number, email address, passwords or any photos that may contain any personal information (like a house number or school logo) in the background. Also encourage a screen name and generic avatar for added privacy.

Turn on Parental Controls
Designed to allow parents a supervisory role in their child’s online gaming experience, parental controls on many platforms include the ability to set schedules and limit playtime, restrict access to certain content or social features, require a password for purchases or set a spending limit.

Avoid Clicking Unfamiliar Links
Player profiles and in-game chats may include links to external sites, including those promising rewards or cheat codes. Because they can be used to gain access to personal information, remind your children to ask an adult before clicking any unfamiliar links while gaming so they can be verified as trustworthy.

Advertisement

Employ Privacy and Security Tools
While system or console-specific settings allow parents to set content restrictions, approve downloads, manage friends lists and more, additional layers of security are sometimes necessary. Extra safeguards such as antivirus and internet security software, DNS (domain name system) filtering and two-factor authentication can also be enabled to help keep kids safe online.

For more tools to help parents make informed decisions and support their children’s gaming experience, visit corp.roblox.com/safety.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (father and daughter playing video game)

SOURCE:
Roblox

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

Last Updated on December 13, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Play and Create
Interactive Shorts

Last Updated on February 13, 2025 by Daily News Staff

The world of motorsports just took a giant leap into the future! Excitement is in the air as T-Mobile, MeetMo, and NantStudios have clinched the illustrious 2025 Lumiere Award for Best Interactive Experience from the Advanced Imaging Society. This accolade is in recognition of their pioneering immersive video experience for fans at the celebrated Las Vegas Grand Prix!

A Game-Changing Experience

Imagine being able to step into a race track from the comfort of your own home, enveloped in a 360-degree augmented reality tour of the circuit, all captured in breathtaking 12K footage. Thanks to this remarkable collaboration, fans can now enjoy a race experience like never before, made possible by a spectacular fusion of 5G technology, virtual production, and artificial intelligence.

“By combining T-Mobile’s 5G Advanced Network Solutions with our real-time collaboration technology, we’ve created an immersive experience that brings fans closer to the action than ever before,” expressed Michael Mansouri, CEO of Radiant Images and MeetMo. His enthusiasm is shared by many, as this innovative project is seen as a quantum leap forward in the way motorsports are experienced.

The Technical Marvel Behind the Magic

Highlighting their technological finesse, the project transformed over 1.5TB of data into a stunningly interactive experience in mere hours—a feat that previously would have taken months. The journey began at the NantStudios headquarters in Los Angeles, where more than 10 minutes of ultra-high definition, immersive sequences were blended with telemetry and driver animation data captured tirelessly by Radiant Images’ crews in Las Vegas.

The astounding speed and efficiency were primarily powered by T-Mobile’s robust 5G infrastructure, allowing for rapid data transfers back and forth, ensuring seamless integration into the interactive app that fans could access. Chris Melus, VP of Product Management for T-Mobile’s Business Group, proudly remarked, “This collaboration broke new ground for immersive fan engagement.”

The Power of 5G

The integration of T-Mobile’s advanced network solutions turned the Las Vegas Grand Prix into a case study of innovation. With real-time capture and transmission capabilities utilizing Radiant Images’ cutting-edge 360° 12K camera car, production crews were able to capture immersive video feeds and transmit them instantaneously over the 5G network. This meant remote camera control and instant footage reviews, drastically cutting production time and resources.

Moreover, the seamless AR integration—thanks to the creative minds at NantStudios and their work with Unreal Engine—allowed the blending of virtual and real-world elements. Fans were treated to augmented reality overlays displaying real-time data, such as dashboard metrics and telemetry, all transmitted through the reliable 5G network.

Future of Fan Engagement

As Jim Chabin, President of the Advanced Imaging Society, eloquently noted, the remarkable work at the Las Vegas Grand Prix has set new standards for interactive sports entertainment. The recognition given to this innovative team underscores their commitment to pushing the envelope in immersive experiences.

Gary Marshall, Vice President of Virtual Production at NantStudios, also highlighted the project’s importance: “This recognition underscores NantStudios’ legacy of pioneering real-time VFX and virtual production achievements, reaffirming our position as a leader in modern virtual production.”

The 2025 Lumiere Award is not just a trophy; it symbolizes the melding of creativity and technology in a way that elevates the fan experience to new heights. The collaboration between T-Mobile, MeetMo, and NantStudios exemplifies a thrilling future where motorsports become more accessible, engaging, and immersive. It’s a thrilling time to be a fan, and the development teams behind this innovation have truly set a new standard for content creators everywhere.

Advertisement

With such defining moments in sports entertainment, we can’t help but wonder what spectacular innovations lie ahead. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride!

About the Companies

MeetMo
MeetMo.io is revolutionizing how creative professionals collaborate by combining video conferencing, live streaming, and AI automation into a single, intuitive platform. With persistent virtual meeting rooms that adapt to users over time, our platform evolves into a true collaborative partner, enhancing creativity and productivity. For more information please visit: https://www.meetmo.io

Radiant Images
Radiant Images is a globally acclaimed, award-winning technology provider specializing in innovative tools and solutions for the media and entertainment industries. The company focuses on advancing cinema, immersive media, and live production. https://www.radiantimages.com

T-Mobile
T-Mobile US, Inc.(NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and indisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com

NantStudios
NantStudios is the first real time-native, full-service production house; re-imagined from the ground up to deliver exceptional creative results through next generation technologies like Virtual Production. For more information please visit: https://nantstudios.com

SOURCE MeetMo

Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

and let your entertainment journey begin!

Advertisement