Online games and child safety
When children and teenagers want to play online games, parents naturally have questions: What does the game contain? Who can read the chat? Can my child spend money without me knowing? And is the community appropriate for young people?
These are entirely reasonable questions. We answer them concretely for Metin2 — one of the most popular free-to-play MMORPGs in Europe.
Metin2: what the game shows
PEGI 12 — Suitable from Age 12
Metin2 has been rated by PEGI (Pan European Game Information) as suitable for players aged 12 and over. PEGI is the official European classification body for video games and assesses content against established criteria.
What is shown
- Fantasy combat in an Asian-fantasy setting
- Stylised, cartoon-like characters and monsters
- No blood, no explicit violence
- No sexual content
- No horror or gore elements
What the game does not show
- No realistic depictions of violence
- No nudity or sexualised content
- No glorification of real weapons, drugs or extreme ideologies
The visual style is comparable to animated films or manga series made for young audiences — combat in a fantastical world, without explicit detail.
Chat safety
How the chat works in Metin2
Metin2 has a public channel chat as well as private messages and a guild chat. This means your child can communicate with other players they don't know. This is a normal part of online games, but it should be approached with parental guidance.
Safety measures
- Gameforge moderates the chat and responds to reports
- Players can mute other players
- Players can block other players
- Harassment can be reported via support
- Real names do not need to be shared — players only see character names
What parents can do
- Be present during the first few sessions and look at the chat together
- Tell your child: never share personal information (real name, address, school) in the chat
- Show them the mute and block functions
- Agree that any uncomfortable chat experiences are reported to you immediately
Controlling in-app purchases
Metin2 has an optional item shop that uses the premium currency "Dragoncoins". Without a payment method explicitly set up, no purchases are possible.
How parents can prevent unwanted purchases
- Don't save a payment method: Without a stored credit card or PayPal link, no purchases can be made.
- Keep the account under parental control: The Gameforge account can be managed by a parent.
- Talk openly about the shop: Explain what can be bought and set clear boundaries. Many children respond well to this when the rules are straightforward.
- Set a budget if purchases are permitted: Prepaid voucher options allow a fixed monthly budget with no ongoing costs.
Community and age range
Metin2 has a broad player base spanning all age groups — from teenagers to adults who have been playing for years. Players from the UK, Germany, Turkey and Poland are particularly well represented.
Most players are friendly and helpful — especially towards newcomers. Negative behaviour exists, as in any online game, but it is not the norm. Guilds often have their own age groups and codes of conduct.
Parent checklist before getting started
- Read the age rating and decided it is appropriate
- Played the first session together
- Set screen time rules (e.g. maximum 1 hour per day)
- No payment method saved without consent
- Child knows: never share personal details in the chat
- Child knows: mute and block exist and can be used freely
- Agreed: anything uncomfortable gets reported straight away
Frequently asked questions
Is Metin2 suitable for children under 12?
PEGI recommends the game from age 12. For younger children, parents should try it themselves and make the call. The content (fantasy combat) is not explicit, but the online environment should be supervised for younger children.
Does my child need to pay to play Metin2?
No. The game is completely free to play. The optional shop is not necessary. Without a saved payment method, no purchases can be made.
Can my child meet anonymous players?
Yes, as with any online game. Players communicate using character names, not real names. With the right ground rules and awareness, this is very manageable.
Play safely and with confidence
Try Metin2 for free — with everything you need to know as a parent.
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