How can we empower parents to enable a safer video game experience for kids?
February 24th, 2021
17:00 - 18:00 CET
With more than 51% of Europe's population and 76% of children aged 6-14 playing video games across Europe, this activity is central to modern culture. This popularity has been made possible by moving to a digital, online world where games are more easily accessible on almost every device. Players have more choice, more freedom and more fun at their fingertips.
In the month in which we celebrate Safer Internet Day, we believe the video games industry has a valuable case study in the protection of minors and in the use and management of effective, adaptive self-regulatory tools to share with the wider creative and technology sector.
In this virtual event, attendees heard how video game companies, including Xbox, Nintendo of Europe and Sony Interactive Entertainment, carry out their commitment to ensure a safe online environment, helping the EU institutions meet their policy goals on child safety online.
The industry strives to empower parents with easy-to-use tools so they can manage the video gameplay experience they feel is appropriate for their own children. PEGI, the self-regulatory system, was set up by the industry in 2003, and is now used in 38 European countries. National information campaigns and education initiatives across Europe in local languages are launched and updated regularly to inform parents, guardians and players about the tools, to provide tips and advice and to present information about the most popular video games.
With popularity comes responsibility and the video games industry takes its responsibility for the protection of minors seriously, working tirelessly to ensure that video gameplay is an enjoyable, safe environment for all.
INTRODUCTION BY: MEP Adriana Maldonado-López, S&D
SPEAKERS:
- Dirk Bosmans, Director of Operations, Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) system
- June Lowery-Kingston, Head of Unit, Accessibility, Multilingualism and Safer Internet, European Commission
- Dave McCarthy, CVP, Xbox Operations
- Julia Foguel, Senior Director of Publishing and Public Policy, Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Richard Sheridan, European Age Rating Manager, Nintendo of Europe
MODERATED BY: Samuel Stolton, Digital Editor, EURACTIV
Follow the conversation on Twitter @Video Games Europe_Games; #GamesForce4Good #GamesDialogues #SaferInternetDay #SID2021
Hosted by:
Video Games Europe (representing Europe’s video games industry) as part of Video Games Europe’s Games Dialogues series.
Supported by:
EGDF, representing Europe’s video game developers.
Video games – a long history of commitment to the protection of minors - it’s in our DNA: Every day is safer internet day for video games companies whose adaptive tools help parents and caregivers take charge of safe video gameplay. Read more...
