I get asked about online games a lot when I'm giving online safety talks for parents. 

"My son/daughter plays World of Warcraft/Runescape/Xbox Live.  Are they safe on there?"

My answer is usually: "They're as safe on there as anywhere else on the Internet."  That means not very. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm an online gamer.  I love getting online with my friends and battling the newest aliens/terrorists/generally bad people trying to destroy truth, justice and the American way.  Or battling each other, which we've been known to do from time to time. 

I usually stick to gaming with friends.  It can be fun to battle strangers, and is pretty easy to go out and do, but I've been exposed to some pretty rude and obnoxious people playing online games.  Not to mention those who are just downright mean and profane.  Those meanies are in the minority, but they're out there. 

Be sure to prepare your kids and teach them how to block or report abuse during online games.  If the game your child plays doesn't have any way to block or report abuse, I wouldn't let them play it.  And parents, sit down with your kids and learn how to report and block abuse in these games before it happens.  Not only is this a GREAT way for you to talk to your kids about online safety, its nice just to spend time with them doing something they enjoy doing. 

If you're not careful, you might just learn something.