Legal instruments
Council of the European Union, Conclusions on Enhancing the Creative and Cultural Dimension of the European Video Games Sector,15901/23
24 November 2023
These conclusions recognise the contribution of video games to creativity, culture, and economy within the European Union. Moreover, they acknowledge the participation of the youngest, the value of Intellectual Property in e-games and the lack of standardised and detailed data in the sector. They contain invitations to member States and the Commission to act to preserve and promote the e-gaming industry. For more info click here....
World Health Organization, Safe Listening in Video Gaming & Esports: A World Health Organization background study.
28 September 2023
This study is a result of the collaboration between the World Health Organization and the International Telecommunication Union on safe listening within gaming and e-sports. It found that, as games are often played at sound levels and for lengths of time that exceed permissible exposure levels, gaming could put gamers worldwide at risk for permanent noise-induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus. For more info click here....
UNICEF, Children’s Rights and online gaming: Industry toolkit on Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
31 May 2023
This toolkit has been developed for the companies who create, sell and market online games as well as those who provide tools that allow players and communities in and around those games to interact with one another, in order to advance diversity, equity and inclusion from a child rights perspective. It provides practical advice on different topics, such as: inclusive communities; representation in and around games; access to online gaming environments; and attracting and involving diverse talent. It also highlights examples of current approaches being adopted by companies and other industry stakeholders. For more info click here....
European Parliament, Resolution on Esports and Video Games, 2022/2027 (INI)
10 November 2022
This resolution stresses the importance to develop a common European strategy and it calls for a fair competitive video gaming and the development of a common framework. The European framework should look also at the status of professional e-sports players, considering the advantages and disadvantages connected to this figure. For more info click here....
European Parliament, Esports: Background Analysis, PE 699.635
06 May 2022
This study, commissioned by the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education, explain what e-sports are, what the different ecosystems look like and what the opportunities and challenges are, including those regarding diversity and inclusion. It also highlights how e-sports can be utilised as an integral tool to shape the modern digital society and act as a key element of a digital European identity. For more info click here....
Committee on the Rights of the Child, General Comment No. 25 (2021) on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment. UN Doc. CRC/C/GC/25
02 March 2021
This General Comment recognises the importance of the digital environment in the promotion of children’s right to culture, leisure and play, while at the same time it acknowledges the risks of harm to which they may be exposed online. For this reason, it urges State parties to use data protection, privacy-by-design and safety-by-design approaches and other regulatory measures in order to ensure that businesses do not target children using those techniques, like misleading advertising, designed to prioritize commercial interests over those of the child. For more info click here....
UNICEF, Recommendations for the Online Gaming Industry on Assessing Impact on Children
16 June 2020
This document focuses on the need for the game industry to consider children’s rights in their activities. Indeed, it is directed to all kinds of game companies (developers, publishers, distributors, platforms, esports companies and streaming services) and, as stated in its introduction, it aims to provide “the best possible experience for all children looking to enjoy gaming online”. For more info click here. ...
Council of Europe in co-operation with the Interactive Software Federation of Europe, Human Rights Guidelines for Online Games Providers, H/Inf (2008)
01 July 2008
This document recognises the importance of games as a tool for communication and expression. Moreover, it considers fundamental to make the game providers aware of the human rights involved in the game industry and the necessity to act in accordance with them. For more info click here....
