Peer-reviewed article
COMBATING DANGERS AND SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IN ONLINE VIDEO GAME ENVIRONMENT
Firla Elok Mashita, Syahru Zein, Ammie Akmalia ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view ·Key points
Limitations
Abstract
Online video game environments have emerged as a critical frontier for child safety, providing opportunities for entertainment, social engagement, and digital development while simultaneously exposing millions of children to emerging online risks. These risks include data breaches, online sexual grooming, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful algorithmic content, and other forms of digital exploitation. As children increasingly participate in online gaming communities, ensuring their safety requires comprehensive policies that integrate child rights, digital literacy, technological responsibility, and effective governance mechanisms. Nepal, as a nation with one of the fastest-growing digital youth populations, faces distinct challenges in addressing child online safety due to limited digital literacy among children, families, and communities, as well as insufficient legal and institutional infrastructure. This position paper outlines the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal's stance on child online safety within the UNICEF framework. It emphasizes the importance of collaborative approaches to protect children in digital environments. Nepal proposes three interconnected initiatives: the Nurturing Guardians Initiative (NGI), which focuses on empowering parents and caregivers with digital safety knowledge; the School Shield Program (SSP), which promotes digital literacy and responsible online behavior among students; and the Cross-Border Sentinel Project (CSP), which strengthens international cooperation in addressing transnational digital threats. The paper argues that child protection in digital spaces is a universal right requiring coordinated global action involving governments, technology providers, educational institutions, and communities. Through collaborative policies and preventive strategies, a safer and more inclusive online gaming environment can be achieved for children worldwide.