Online gaming puts childrens health at risk: age check methodology and policy action like legal vetting needed: Report

A recent report from CyberPeace has raised alarming concerns about the impact of online gaming on children's health. The study emphasizes that as the online gaming industry continues to expand, children are increasingly exposed to potential addiction and exploitation, necessitating immediate policy intervention to safeguard their well-being. The report highlights the detrimental effects that early exposure to online gaming can have on young minds. Experts, including researchers, educators, and mental health professionals, are increasingly worried about the implications for children's physical and emotional health. The findings stress that prolonged gaming can lead to various health issues, particularly obesity, as evidenced by the PEACH project. This longitudinal study revealed that children who spend more time in front of screens tend to have higher body mass indexes (BMI) and a greater likelihood of being overweight. Furthermore, the report indicates that excessive gaming fosters a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to obesity and associated health complications. Teenagers, in particular, are at increased risk of health issues due to reduced physical activity linked to extensive gaming. There is a growing trend of young individuals seeking treatment for obesity-related conditions, partly attributed to increased screen time from gaming. In addition to physical health risks, the report notes that incessant gaming can result in repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, due to the continuous use of controllers or mice. Moreover, the addictive qualities of online gaming can severely disrupt sleep patterns and have been associated with cardiovascular problems. The mental health repercussions of excessive gaming extend beyond mere social isolation; they can have profound effects on emotional and psychological well-being. To mitigate these risks, CyberPeace has proposed several actionable recommendations. Among these, the report calls for a robust methodology for age verification, highlighting the need for clarity in implementing checks as mandated by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. It also advocates for content regulation that includes explicit guidelines on violence, sexuality, and other mature themes, noting that India lacks a system akin to PEGI for effective content benchmarking. Moreover, the report suggests expanding content ratings to encompass various levels of violence and sexual content. To ensure that regulatory measures remain relevant, it proposes a dynamic legislative framework that adapts to industry changes. Lastly, the report emphasizes the necessity for legal vetting of game content prior to release and calls for the establishment of uniform regulations for both game developers and publishers to prioritize child protection.