According to Wiki, automatic writing using a planchette was known as 'fuji' in China c1100 BC, and was widely practised in Greece, Rome, ancient India and in medieval Europe.
The Ouija board as we know it was invented c1890 and is now sold as a toy, but I do not believe that it is a suitable game for children or impressionable young people who are under the age of 21.
If anyone intends to use a talking board I would suggest they take the following precautions:
Do not treat it as a joke.
Do not participate if you are ill, or if you have mental health issues or are of a nervous disposition/susceptible to suggestion.
Do not participate if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Do not use the board in a cemetary, graveyard, or any place where an unnatural death has occurred.
Do not ask for the date(s) of death of any living being.
Do not ask for money or (old superstition) where gold is buried.
Do not burn a Ouija/talking board.
The first time you use any talking board symbolically cleanse it by sprinkling salt around it (on the table/floor), bless the board (say* 'blessed be this board and may it only attract spirits who work for the force of good'), and place a silver coin on it at the beginning of every session.
To begin a session, Christians can say a prayer and ask God/Jesus/Holy Ghost/Archangels to protect them, and all (whatever religious persuasion) can say 'I/We call upon any helpful spirits present who work for the force of good to aid my/our quest'
Wiccans/occultist can cast a circle of protection if they wish; if you are athetist/agnostic or have other beliefs, use visualisation to protect the board and all present. Imagine a beam of white light shining down upon the board. Inhale the light and exhale it until the board/table and all present are contained within the light before commencing.
End the session with a prayer of thanks and ask the spirits to depart in peace followed by Amen, or thank the spirits that have come to your aid and say 'depart now and let there be peace between us evermore. As my will so mote it be' when closing the session,
If a light protection visualisation has been performed, gradually inhale the light and exhale it back to the beam and then 'see' the beam fade away before thanking the spirits and closing the session.
If, during the session, the planchette starts to go through the letters or numbers in forward or reverse sequence, turn the planchette upside down and close the session immediately.
If the planchette moves to 3 corners of the board and starts to head for the 4th, turn it upside down and close the session immediately.
Store the board in a place where it will not be disturbed with the planchette upside down.
As a final word of caution, be aware that spirits can lie and can use flattery and trickery use to make the unsuspecting dependent on the board/their communication with them.
Please note that the above does not indicate that I personally abscribe to the conventional religious meaning of the word 'spirit' or 'spirits', or that I believe in the forces of good or evil, or that I believe in the supernatural as such.
*use the words suggested or use whatever you feel comfortable with.