ARE IO GAMES SAFE?

Short answer: a good browser game is as safe as any website you visit. The risks are real but small, and they mostly come from fake copies, chat with strangers and sneaky in-game purchases. Here is what to check, for players and parents.

What the real risks are

1. Fake sites and fake downloads. A page that says "download the real game" or "install this extension to play" is a warning sign. A real browser game needs neither.
2. Chat with strangers. Any game with free text chat lets people say anything. Look for games with no open chat, or with filters.
3. Spending. Some games push constant purchases. A good one sells only looks, never power.
4. Data and cookies. Games earn money with adverts, which use cookies. A good game asks you first.

Safety checklist for players

• Type the address yourself, or use the official site, instead of clicking a link from a stranger.
• Use a nickname, not your real name. Do not share your age, school or town.
• Never give a password or payment details to another player, even for a "free gift".
• Do not install anything because a game site tells you to.
• Use the privacy and cookie choices when they appear.

Checklist for parents

• Play one round yourself. It takes five minutes and tells you more than any review.
• Check what the game sells, and whether a child can buy something without a parent.
• Look for a clear privacy page and terms.
• Agree on a time limit. Short rounds make it easy to stop at a natural point.

How Dragons League handles it

Dragons League has no open text chat between players, so strangers cannot message your child inside the game. You do not need an account to play, there is nothing to download, and paid items are cosmetic only. You can read exactly what we collect in the privacy policy, and you can change your cookie choice at any time from the footer. How the server keeps every match fair is explained in A Fair Arena.

For a short, safe way to try a game, see quick browser games for 5 minutes.

Spotting a bad game site

• Pop-ups that block the page or ask you to allow notifications.
• A download button that looks like the play button.
• Promises of free money, gems or "hacks".
• No privacy page, no contact page, no name for who runs it.

If you see two or more of these, leave the page. For a way to compare games, use our checklist for choosing a free multiplayer game.

See what you are getting into

You can watch real rounds before you play: our YouTube channel shows gameplay, and we go live on the streams page.