A guide for families and caregivers
Created by young people for the adults in their lives, the Understanding Gaming Family Toolkit helps bridge the gap between what adults think is happening in gaming and what young people are actually experiencing.
Created in partnership by NAMLE’s Youth Advisory Council and the Roblox Teen Council for Civility and Well-Being, this resource invites families to explore common misconceptions about gaming, learn from young people’s perspectives, and start meaningful conversations together.
You don’t have to be a gamer to get started. Just bring an open mind and a willingness to listen.
Let’s Talk About Gaming
As part of this collaboration, members of NAMLE’s Youth Advisory Council and the Roblox Teen Council for Civility and Well-Being worked together to explore misconceptions about gaming and how they shape the way adults understand young people’s experiences.
Their work focuses on three misconceptions:
Online friends aren’t real friends.
How do young people build friendships through gaming, and what makes those connections meaningful?
Games do not provide life values or worthwhile skills.
What can young people learn through gaming, and how might those skills show up in everyday life?
Gaming is mainly male-dominated.
Who plays games, and how do young people’s experiences compare with common assumptions about gaming?
Watch the Videos
Explore our three short-form videos, each highlighting one of the misconceptions about gaming identified through this youth collaboration. The videos offer a quick introduction to each misconception and a starting point for further conversation.
Keep the Conversation Going
Want to explore these ideas together? The Family Toolkit includes practical resources to help adults and young people learn from one another.
- Conversation starters: Questions for adults to ask young people and for young people to ask adults.
- Family activities: Hands-on ways to share experiences, explore different perspectives, and connect through conversation.
Choose a question, watch a video together, or try an activity. There’s no single right way to use the toolkit. Start wherever your family feels comfortable.