The Culture Secretary called on video game companies to do more to prevent children from making in-game purchases, known as loot boxes.
Nadine Dorries urges that loot box purchases be made unavailable to children and adolescents unless approved by a parent or guardian.
In 2020, the Department of Digitization, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) announced a call for evidence regarding loot boxes.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries calls for changes by video game companies (James Manning / PA)
It found that players who purchased loot boxes may be at greater risk of gambling, mental health, and financial damage. The risk may also be higher for children and adolescents.
Loot Chests are a type of in-game purchase in some video games. Players can purchase a Loot Box with real money to receive random items, including “boosters” to help the player compete better in the game, and “cosmetic” items such as virtual clothing.
Some gaming platforms, such as Xbox, have already taken steps to improve protection, including options requiring parental consent for people under 18 to spend in-game money.
The government said it wanted to build on this stronger protection for children across the gaming industry, adding that it might consider legislation if companies don’t do enough.
Ms Dorries said: “We want to keep kids from going crazy online without parental consent, encouraged by in-game purchases such as loot boxes.
“Game companies and platforms need to do more to ensure age controls and restrictions are applied to keep players protected from the risk of gambling.
“Children should be free to play safely while giving parents and carers the peace of mind they need.”
DCMS is creating a new working group of companies, platforms and regulators to develop measures to reduce the risk of harming players.
This includes measures such as parental controls and ensuring that all players have access to clear and accessible information.
In 2020, the Department of Digitization, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) announced a call for evidence on loot boxes (John Nguyen / PA)
The call for evidence also demonstrated the need for better evidence to better understand the positive and negative effects of video games, along with plans to launch a new video game research framework to support this.
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of the UK gaming industry trade association TIGA, said: “TIGA believes gaming companies should strive to make games safe for all players.
“In 2020, TIGA formally adopted the Five Principles for Protecting Players, designed to embody the spirit of the approach that gaming companies should adopt when operating in the UK.
“Children and adolescents should not be allowed to buy ‘loot boxes’ in video games without parental consent.
“TIGA also believes that vulnerable adults must be protected from the potential damage caused by loot boxes.
“TIGA looks forward to participating in the planned DCMS working group to develop measures to protect players from potential harm.”
