The rise of parental controls

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The rise of parental controls

January 10, 2025

For Millennials and the generations that came before, the rise of the video game industry was experienced in real-time. For all generations after, gaming and access to the internet are now the cultural standard on a global level. Whether you are actively playing games or viewing content of games being played, gaming has emerged as the top activity and entertainment for families with the majority of those engaging being minors. As vulnerable consumers, children gamers are at risk when playing games. From overspending to exposure to inappropriate content, parents and countries are taking steps to protect minors while still allowing them to access the benefits that gaming provides. The rest of this blog will explore the critical role parental controls play within the gaming industry and how Xsolla is empowering game developers to create safer and more transparent gaming ecosystems that the whole family can enjoy.

Why do we need parental controls?

In the UK over 83% of teenagers identify as gamers, and more than half of Europe's population, ages 11-14, were responsible for generating $227.6 billion in gaming revenue in 2023. Now consider that the gaming industry is global - that's a lot of children, making parental controls an essential safeguard to balance the fun of gaming with safety. Protecting minors from potential harm has been at the forefront of parents' minds for some time. A 2020 Mott Poll revealed that 9 out of 10 parents believe their teens spend excessive time gaming, and the risks of overspending, exposure to inappropriate content, and online predators require constant vigilance. Many countries have also taken steps to aid in this process, with China creating tight rules and regulations for minors that aim to restrict the amount of money and time spent on games. This helps to alleviate parental concerns while forcing gaming companies to adopt more ethical practices, sharing the responsibility of protecting children with parents. Of course, the goal is not to make it impossible for minors to play video games. Leading psychologists have found that video games are beneficial to growing minds, helping with teamwork, critical thinking, and building social connections. Gaming is also responsible for aiding in stress reduction and loneliness. Parental controls are meant to act as a helping hand, allowing game developers to remain compliant on a global scale and to give parents peace of mind. Typical concerns for parents that parental controls address include:

Monitoring gameplay: Allow parents to set time limits, monitor playtime, and regulate screen time.
Blocking inappropriate content: Filter games and interactions to ensure age-appropriate content.
Managing in-app purchases: Set spending caps or approval processes to prevent unauthorized transactions.
Promoting healthy gaming habits: Encourage breaks and balanced activities to avoid addiction and overuse.

Your job as a game developer As a game developer, it's your responsibility to protect young gamers too. You play a pivotal role in building a safe gaming environment and fostering trust with both child and parent. Additionally, non-compliance can negatively impact your business's bottom line. With more nations adopting stricter regulations, if your game does not align with governing rules, you risk your revenue and reputation. As more gaming studios adopt D2C sales strategies and channels, regulatory entities like COPPA in the US (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in Europe are enforcing data privacy and transparency for younger audiences. The passing of the Digital Services Act from the European Commission has also been cracking down on possible manipulation when it comes to the use of virtual currencies. This means it's imperative for game developers to design games with safety features (secure chat systems, spending limits, and moderation tools) while providing clear communication about in-game purchases and data usage to avoid deceptive practices. Xsolla supports safe gaming xsolla-blog-parental-controls-featured-image-2112x1146.webp

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At Xsolla, we understand the challenges developers face in promoting safety while maintaining a seamless gaming experience. Our Parental Controls solution is designed to empower parents and developers alike by integrating robust safety measures across all Xsolla services. Our solution provides families the ability to access key features like:

Age-appropriate access: Verify user ages and enforce content restrictions to ensure a safe environment.
Spending limits: Allow parents to set caps on in-game purchases or require approval for transactions.
Real-time monitoring: Provide parents with insights into their children’s gaming habits, including screen time and spending.
Secure communication: Safeguard players with privacy controls for voice and text chat to reduce risks of inappropriate interactions.
Seamless integration: Easily embed Xsolla Parental Controls across all your games and services, enhancing user trust while meeting regulatory requirements.

Stay competitive as you drive your D2C sales while remaining compliant on a global scale with Xsolla as your Merchant of Record. Through our industry-leading expertise in global compliance, we easily adhere to child privacy laws like COPPA and GDPR to streamline business operations when purchasing and securing personal data. Parental controls are no longer a nice-to-have but are a requirement. Future-proof your studio and stay ahead of the curve with Xsolla Parental Controls, ensuring your studio remains compliant and gaming families everywhere feel safe. For a quick look into how Xsolla can help you create a secure and family-friendly gaming experience, view our promo video or take a look at our one-pager. For those ready to take the plunge, connect with an Xsolla expert or create an Xsolla Publisher Account today.