New EU proposals intended to protect children playing online games, enforce the use of age assurance tools and ban addictive design features have been met with both support and skepticism from trade body Video Games Europe.
The EU KIDS Act was announced by the European Commission earlier today and proposes new restrictions for children using social media platforms and playing games.
The EU wants age assurance tools to be mandatory for app stores and restrictions on game features like push notifications and streak mechanics.
“App stores must age-rate every app, including videogames, with a published methodology, they must not let children access or buy apps inappropriate for their age, and must carry the EU age verification app,” reads part of an FAQ on the measures that could apply to online games and app stores.
A Video Games Europe statement in response to the proposals was broadly supportive, with some caveats. It called for the PEGI and USK age ratings to become the de facto standard for games sold in Europe, and affirmed that “Children’s right to protection must be respected as well as children’s right to play, access to culture and leisure.”
“We caution against sweeping age assurance measures applicable to every game and player in Europe,” the statement continued.
VGE later stated that it should be the responsibility of the parent to manage their child’s access to games.
“This approach balances the responsibility of our industry to keep their services safe, and the role parents play in considering the specific situation of their child. This respects the principles of protection, privacy, and proportionality.”
VGE also called for a public consultation process and pledged to engage constructively with the EC as the legislation develops.
