The gaming industry must take action on loot boxes to stop children from buying them, the UK government has said

The gaming industry must take action on loot boxes to stop children from buying them, the UK government has said

 

The UK government says the gaming industry must do more to protect vulnerable players from unboxing and will not hesitate to consider legislation if companies are not doing enough to keep players safe. The 2020 Evidence call on loot boxes, launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, found that players who bought loot boxes were more likely to experience injuries “related to gambling, mental health, finances, and gaming-related issues”. Children and young adults may also be at higher risk, it found.

 

On Sunday, the government called for children and young people to be prevented from buying loot boxes unless they get permission from a parent or guardian.

 

Culture Minister Nadine Dorries said in a statement: “We want to stop children going on spending sprees online, fuelled by in-game purchases like loot boxes, without parental consent.

 

Gaming companies and platforms need to do more to ensure controls and age limits are applied to protect players from the risk of gambling harm. Children should be free to enjoy play safely while reassuring their parents and guardians.”

 

No formal action has been taken to tighten restrictions on e-shopping, although Dorries stressed that she wants companies to do more to ensure children cannot shop without parental consent.

 

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport said it planned to set up a working group of gaming companies, platforms, and regulators to develop what it called “industry-led measures to protect players and reduce the risk of harm”.

 

Some examples of this include parental controls, which are already supported by three major platforms.

 

It says protection should support “the minority of players who spend too much money on loot boxes” and may be at greater risk of injury.

 

Dr. Jo Twist OBE, chief executive of trade body Ukie, said: “As a responsible industry, we are committed to exploring more ways to support players and parents, building on our existing work to develop and raise awareness of parental controls. We look forward to engaging closely with the government and other organizations within the working Group and video game research framework.”