Interland is an online educational game created by Google that teaches children how to stay safe and behave responsibly online. It takes the form of a colorful adventure divided into four worlds, where players progress by completing challenges and answering questions.
The characters have rounded designs, the colors are bright, and the music is gentle, making children feel as though they’re playing rather than taking a lesson. Behind this lighthearted appearance, however, the game addresses real-life situations that young people may encounter as they begin using the Internet.
Interland is part of a broader educational program dedicated to children's digital safety, available in English and many other languages. The game is primarily aimed at children aged 7 to 12, but it can also be used with older children, at home or in the classroom, to spark discussions about digital technology. For parents or teachers looking for a simple tool to talk to children about the Internet, it offers a very accessible starting point.
Why Should I Download Interland?
Interland is played directly in a web browser, so no download, installation, or account creation is required. Players start on a map showing four territories and can choose which one to explore first. The game asks for a first name to personalize the certificate awarded at the end. On a computer, players move around using the arrow keys and the spacebar, while on a tablet or phone, they can tap the screen.
Each territory addresses a specific aspect of online safety. Kind Kingdom focuses on respect for others: players spread positive messages, block aggressive behavior, and learn how to report problems. Reality River teaches children to recognize scams, fake URLs, and phishing attempts through interactive questions, some of which are timed.
Mindful Mountain focuses on sharing information. Players must choose the appropriate audience or destination for each post, such as parents, friends, everyone, or the trash. Tower of Treasure is dedicated to passwords and confidential data, with exercises that illustrate the differences between strong and weak passwords.
Progression is based on a simple principle: players earn points for making the right choices and lose them when they make mistakes. Explanations appear immediately after each answer, helping children understand their mistakes and learn from them. Each world can be replayed, and a certificate is awarded upon completing all four worlds.
Parents and teachers also have access to downloadable resources, including lesson plans, classroom activities, and a family charter that they can sign together.
Is Interland Free?
Interland is completely free. Players do not have to pay to access the four worlds, and there is no separate paid version or in-app purchasing system. The game also does not display pop-up advertisements between levels, which is particularly welcome when the intended audience is children.
Free access extends to the rest of the program. Resources for families and teachers, classroom activities, and the teacher's guide are available to download without a subscription or prior registration.
What Operating Systems Are Compatible with Interland?
Interland runs in a web browser and works on internet-connected desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It can therefore be used on a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, Chromebooks, Android devices, and iPhones or iPads, provided the browser supports the game.
The game includes keyboard controls for computers and touch controls for mobile devices. On smartphones and tablets, switching to landscape orientation can make the experience more comfortable. A graphics setting is also available to help improve performance on devices that struggle to run the game smoothly. However, compatibility may vary depending on the browser and device, so it is best to try the game directly if you encounter any problems.
What Are the Alternatives to Interland?
Hackenator Chronicles offers a similar educational approach, set in a superhero universe. Developed in Luxembourg, this free game is played online through a web browser and is available in English. It is aimed primarily at teenagers aged 13 to 16 and guides them through missions in which they defend a virtual city against a group of hackers. Each mission explores a cybersecurity concept and points players toward organizations that can provide further information or assistance. A username and password are required to save progress.
CyberSprinters is a free educational game developed by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), designed to teach children aged 7 to 11 how to stay safe online. Players race against a depleting battery, collect cyberspheres, and answer questions about cybersecurity while avoiding cybervillains. Correct answers and mini-games help them regain power and continue their adventure. The game covers practical topics such as password security, phishing, suspicious messages, and protecting personal information. It can be played in a web browser on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, and is accompanied by free educational resources for parents and teachers. CyberSprinters is particularly suitable for younger children looking for an accessible, game-based introduction to online safety.
KC7 takes a more hands-on approach to cybersecurity education, turning realistic cyber incidents into detective-style investigations. Players step into the role of security analysts, examine activity logs, follow suspicious clues, and work out how an attack unfolded. The game introduces concepts such as phishing, malware, and threat detection, while teaching players to analyze data and draw conclusions from evidence. Although it requires more analytical thinking than Interland, KC7 is designed to welcome beginners, with no previous cybersecurity or coding experience required. It is free to play online, and beginner investigations provide an accessible starting point for students interested in exploring cybersecurity in greater depth. Some features, such as saving progress, require a free account.
