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New Delhi: The Indian government has ramped up its measures to tackle the growing issue of children’s addiction to online games. The Rajya Sabha was informed on Friday that social media platforms and intermediaries are now obligated to take swift action to remove harmful content linked to online gaming.
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, detailed the government’s approach, emphasizing the importance of accountability among intermediaries under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules, formulated after extensive consultations, aim to regulate online content and mitigate risks such as gaming addiction, gambling, and money laundering.
Strict Regulations for Intermediaries
Under the IT Rules, 2021, intermediaries, including social media platforms, are required to ensure that harmful or unlawful information is neither hosted nor shared. This includes content deemed harmful to children, content encouraging gambling, or activities linked to money laundering. Intermediaries must act promptly to remove such content when flagged by users or authorities.
“The government is committed to ensuring a safe online environment for children,” Prasada stated, highlighting the growing concerns over gaming disorders among minors.
Advisories for Parents and Educators
In tandem with regulatory actions, the Ministry of Education has issued advisories for parents and teachers on managing the negative impacts of online gaming. The advisory outlines the dangers of unrestricted gaming, which can lead to addiction and is classified as a gaming disorder.
The advisory also provides guidelines for supervising children’s gaming habits, encouraging limits on screen time, and fostering open communication about the risks of excessive gaming.
Regulating Gaming Advertisements
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has addressed the influence of online gaming advertisements by advising private satellite TV channels to adhere to the standards set by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). These guidelines ensure that advertisements for online games and fantasy sports comply with ethical and legal norms.
Strengthening Cybercrime Prevention
To complement these efforts, the Ministry of Home Affairs has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This framework aims to provide a robust mechanism for law enforcement agencies to address cybercrimes, including those related to online gaming.
A Comprehensive Approach
The government’s multi-faceted strategy combines regulation, public awareness, and law enforcement to address the socio-economic challenges posed by online gaming. These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need to protect children from the risks associated with the digital world while promoting responsible use of online platforms.
The measures have been lauded as a step toward safeguarding the mental and emotional well-being of young users in an increasingly digital age.
