MEP calls for strategy to tackle youth gaming addiction
Fine Gael MEP Colm Markey has called on the Irish Government to launch a comprehensive strategy on video games that will tackle child addiction to gaming and support the wider industry.
He made the call ahead of a Webinar on the issue this Wednesday (April 26th) in conjunction with Parentline and Webwise.
The event will explore the benefits and challenges of online gaming and offer advice to parents on screen time, cyber-harassment and lootboxes.
The Midlands-North-West MEP said, “Video game addiction is a serious issue that affects many young people in Ireland and across Europe. Calls to Parentline on this issue are on the rise and we need to take action to help young people and to ensure that the gaming industry is regulated and held accountable for any harmful practices. The EU is currently looking at a range of issues related to gaming and I believe the Irish Government should launch its own strategy that will address these concerns.”
Markey emphasised the importance of supporting the wider gaming industry, which is a growing and important part of the Irish economy.
"The gaming industry is a valuable contributor to our economy, providing jobs and driving innovation. We need to support this industry while also ensuring that it operates in a responsible and ethical manner. I believes that this strategy should include a specific focus on ‘loot boxes’ or virtual items bought online with real-world money. We have seen examples of children unknowingly racking up huge bills for their parents after buying these rewards online but it is proving to be a complex issue to deal with”, he added.
Aileen Hickie - CEO of Parentline - commented, “Parentline is delighted to be a participant in this webinar on such a relevant and concerning topic for parents, particularly as this is such a large issue for many parents who are concerned about the content of online games, time limits, in game purchasing of lootboxes, age limits and verifications and want to understand more about what parental control tools are available.”
Project Officer for Webwise; Jane McGarrigle added, “Online gaming is a particularly popular activity among children in Ireland and we know parents are keen to help their child make the most of their time online. We are delighted to contribute to this upcoming webinar to discuss some of the key concerns parents have around online gaming and provide practical advice on supporting children online.”