With so many children playing video games daily, safeguarding their online experience is more critical than ever. Our recent webinar brought together industry leaders to delve into best practices and innovative solutions for ensuring children's safety and privacy in the gaming world.
Watch the full webinar above.
The importance of children's online safety cannot be overstated. With at least 80% of children playing video games daily, often without adult supervision, the need for robust safety measures is more critical than ever.
During the recent webinar hosted by PRIVO, PlaytestCloud, and Keywords Studios, the focus was on understanding the essential steps game developers must take to protect children's privacy and safety online. The consensus was clear: game developers have a significant responsibility to create a safe and secure environment for young gamers.
Game developers must prioritize safety and privacy from the outset of development. According to Kaila Jarvis from Keywords Studios, practical examples of implementing privacy-by-design principles include engaging with trust and safety teams early, ensuring age assurance technology, and content moderation practices are in place before the game's launch.
Christian Ress from PlaytestCloud emphasized the importance of conducting playtesting safely and compliantly with children. This involves integrating guidelines early in the design and development phases and being prepared to pivot based on how children interact with the game.
Building trust with parents and caregivers is crucial for any game developer. Kaila Jarvis highlighted the importance of clear and open communication about guidelines, moderation strategies, and expected behaviors. Examples from games like Roblox and Minecraft demonstrate the effectiveness of parental controls and transparent communication.
Christian Ress discussed the importance of transparency and data handling practices during playtesting. Claire Quinn from PRIVO highlighted certification and seal programs that demonstrate compliance, further building trust with parents and caregivers.
One of the common pitfalls game developers face is treating privacy and safety as an afterthought. Kaila Jarvis pointed out that not being honest about the target audience or failing to implement robust privacy measures can lead to significant issues.
Claire Quinn noted the potential legal and reputational consequences of non-compliance with global regulations like COPPA and GDPR-K. The panelists stressed the importance of staying updated with evolving regulations and integrating age verification and consent management mechanisms from the start.
Collaboration within the industry is essential for creating a safer online environment for children. Kaila Jarvis emphasized the role of coalitions and working groups, such as TIGG and Safety Coalition, in setting aside competition for the benefit of children.
By working together and sharing best practices, the gaming industry can create a safer and more secure environment for young gamers.