PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Gaming: Internet (8 February 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to help inform children and their parents on the safe-guarding dangers of gaming apps; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat)

We want to make Britain the safest place in the world to be online for all users, including children.

The market for games produced and delivered specifically for mobile devices is global and protections focus on self-regulation by industry providers. We welcome the increasing use of PEGI age ratings by games developers, publishers and platforms including through the International Age Rating Coalition which ensures games and apps available through many online and mobile storefronts (such as Google Play and Microsoft Windows) have PEGI age ratings. These provide vital information for consumers and can be linked to parental controls.

Our Internet Safety Strategy green paper consulted on what steps we should take to build on existing online safety arrangements for children and young people, including in relation to video game apps. The Government response to the Strategy consultation will be published in the spring.

Answered by:
Margot James (Conservative)
23 February 2018