NSPCC and British Esports Federation team up to enhance child safeguarding in esports industry
The British Esports Federation has partnered with the NSPCC to advance child safeguarding measures in the esports industry.
The collaboration brings together the UK's national body for esports with the leading child protection charity to develop and implement safeguarding protocols for children participating in esports.
The partnership's initiatives include creating a guide for parents to be better informed about esports and establishing safeguarding practices for coaches and streamers.
It comes in response to an increase in online grooming crimes reported by the NSPCC, noting the high percentage of young people in the UK engaged in video gaming. The collaboration aims to ensure esports environments are safe for youth participation.
Both organisations have committed to a series of values emphasising child protection, education on safety, and raising awareness within the UK and global esports communities about safeguarding responsibilities.
This agreement builds on the success of the first Safeguarding in Esports Conference, which highlighted the community's interest in safeguarding. The partnership aims to influence esports organisations to prioritise child welfare and establish safeguarding as a standard practice within the industry.
The collaboration seeks to apply the Child Protection in Sport Unit's (CPSU) approach, used in traditional sports, to the esports sector, acknowledging the growing popularity of competitive gaming among young people and the need for comprehensive safeguarding strategies.
Chester King, President of British Esports, stated:
“British Esports have long recognised the need for effective safeguarding in esports. In comparison to traditional sport, esports is a long way behind in its understanding, organisation and implementation of safeguarding practices.”
“Today is a landmark moment for our industry. We are incredibly proud to partner with the NSPCC, globally renowned experts in safeguarding and child protection. Their exceptional team, led by Sir Peter Wanless, will ensure that, together, we create a safer esports ecosystem for all.”
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of NSPCC, added:
“Esports arenas are clearly where an increasing number of children are spending time. Therefore, we must be there too, working in partnership to keep them safe and building the fundamentals of safeguarding into the governance of esports just as we have done in traditional sport.”
“Children deserve to enjoy exciting and age-appropriate gaming experiences, but ones in which their safety and well-being are carefully considered. We are partnering with the British Esports Federation, the UK’s national body for esports, so together we can help keep children safe whilst enabling them to enjoy the benefits of esports and wider technologies in ways which enhance their childhoods and future lives positively.”
