Kidas (“the Company''), a technology solutions company developing anti-cyberbullying and predator protection software for online gaming platforms, recently announced the establishment of a coalition of companies who have committed to working together to create safety standards for the gaming industry. This group will work together to actively address rampant and growing online threats and toxic behavior affecting children during game play.
The initial companies that have committed to forming these standards include Aura, the first truly intelligent safety solution; Xsolla, a global video game commerce company; Stand4Kind, which provides numerous resources to encourage wellness and positive school culture; LeagueSpot the most trusted and secure gaming platform in the world, providing organizations with a white label solution to host and manage their own events and leagues; Game Gym, the premiere esports training platform and community; and Overwolf, the all-in-one platform that enables creators to build, share and monetize in-game apps, mods and private game servers.
“Seventy percent of young people under age 18 play video games, and half of these children have encountered cyberbullying or other online predators. This is unacceptable. Online gaming, which can serve as an essential tool for helping kids to develop important emotional, cognitive and social skills, has become a hub for cyber-criminals, bullies, scammers and predators to target kids and engage in toxic game play,” said Ron Kerbs, Founder and CEO, Kidas. “The gaming industry has a responsibility to protect its most vulnerable players and ensure a fair, safe gaming environment for all children, at all times. Building a coalition of gaming industry leaders who have come together to adopt these standards brings us one step closer to removing harmful interactions and players from these platforms once and for all.”
By signing the safety pledge, coalition members are committing to working across the gaming ecosystem to identify, address and ultimately, reduce toxic and criminal behaviors that may occur during online gaming. Organizations joining the pledge will also be asked to help the group reach its aspirational goal of creating a toxic-free gaming environment by sharing their internal analysis with other coalition members and to publicly share that data as part of an annual report highlighting the findings of the coalition, with the first report slated to publish in 2024. Over time, as the group grows its numbers and has access to more resources and data, the coalition intends to collectively increase its efforts to address child safety.
Key tenets of Kidas’ child safety standards include:Pledge:Recognize the problem and commit to supporting efforts to curb negative behavior and dangerous activities aimed at exploiting children.
Support both efforts and technologies aimed at reducing incidences of scamming, bullying and predatory behavior.Analyze:Commit to a cadence of ongoing analyses that measures the frequency of unsafe incidents involving kids.
Identify underlying policies or practices that need to be changed so that bad actors can be identified and removed from the platform.
Hold your organization accountable and ensure transparency.Measure:Share analyses with trusted partners to enable a clearer view into the challenges facing the industry to protect kids playing online games.
Consider sharing a topline summary of results internally with leadership, the Board of Directors and / or employees for further discussion and recommendations for action.
“The FBI reports there are more than 500,000 online predators targeting children every day. This threat, coupled with the rise of cyberbullying targeting kids, is a crisis all families are facing,” said Hari Ravichandran, founder and CEO of Aura. “Together, with our industry partners, we can work towards creating a safer, toxic-free internet.”
“The gaming ecosystem is at its best when players and creators can freely connect, collaborate, and grow with one another in a safe space. That joining of people across space, time, and culture makes our community of millions unique and why we strive to be a beacon of positivity within the industry,” added Chris Hewish, CEO at Xsolla. “We recognize the responsibility we and all other stakeholders have in building a gaming environment that protects its users and welcome efforts to address the rampant toxicity that can unfortunately thrive when left unchecked.”
I had a chance to learn more in this interview with Ron Kerbs, CEO of Kidas.
Why is it important to be aware of threats and toxic behavior during online gameplay?
It is crucial to be aware of threats and toxic behavior during online gameplay for several reasons. First and foremost, the online gaming environment often involves interaction with other players, and instances of harassment, bullying or malicious activities can negatively impact the gaming experience. Additionally, exposure to toxic behavior can have adverse effects on the mental well-being of players, potentially leading to stress, anxiety or even more severe consequences. Creating a safe and enjoyable gaming community requires vigilance and proactive measures to address and prevent toxic behavior.
How can companies gather data to determine how prevalent this is?
Companies can employ various methods to gather data on the prevalence of threats and toxic behavior during online gameplay. This may include implementing in-game reporting systems (such as Kidas’ ProtectMe), where players can flag inappropriate conduct. Analyzing chat logs, monitoring player feedback and conducting surveys are also effective ways to gauge the extent of such issues.
Why does the gaming industry need to provide protections for children and teens during gameplay?
The gaming industry has a responsibility to provide protections for children and teens during gameplay. Younger players may lack the maturity and experience to navigate complex online interactions, making them more susceptible to cyberbullying, inappropriate content or other forms of harm. Implementing age-appropriate content controls, robust moderation systems and educational initiatives can help create a safer gaming space for younger audiences.
What are some ways that families can keep their kids safe and prepare them for how to respond when they do encounter toxic behaviors?
Families can take several proactive steps to keep their kids safe during online gameplay. Firstly, establishing open communication with children about their gaming experiences encourages them to share concerns or encounters with toxic behavior. Setting up parental controls and privacy settings to limit exposure to inappropriate content is essential. Educating children about responsible online behavior, including how to recognize and respond to toxic behavior, is also crucial.
About Kidas
Kidas is a technology company developing anti-cyberbullying and predator protection software for online PC video game platforms. Hyper-focused on protecting young players, Kidas equips parents, guardians and educators with the tools that they need to manage the inherent risks that persist through online anonymity and shield their children from online predators and other toxic behaviors while they game. Through its proprietary, AI-powered ProtectMe software that analyzes in-game voice communication, text activity and screen time on PC games and apps, Kidas silently integrates into hundreds of popular games and monitors for predatory actions and privacy concerns. Custom weekly, monthly and, if needed, daily / immediate reports are generated and emailed to parents, letting them know if their child encountered threats. For more information, visit www.getkidas.com.
About Xsolla
Xsolla is a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch, and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms. As an innovative leader in game commerce, Xsolla’s mission is to solve the inherent complexities of global distribution, marketing, and monetization to help our partners reach more geographies, generate more revenue, and create relationships with gamers worldwide. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, with offices in Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and cities around the world, Xsolla supports major gaming titles like Valve, Twitch, Roblox, Ubisoft, Epic Games, Take-Two, KRAFTON, Nexters, NetEase, Playstudios, Playrix, miHoYo, and more.
For additional information and to learn more, please visit: xsolla.com
About LeagueSpot
LeagueSpot is at the forefront of esports & gaming technology, providing organizers, players, and enthusiasts with innovative tools for unparalleled connectivity and competition. Championing security and reliability, our platform features end-to-end encryption, ensuring user data's utmost protection. From seamless tournament management and player rankings to our vibrant community forum, LeagueSpot is committed to elevating the esports & gaming experience, making it more accessible and inclusive for all. Learn more at leaguespot.gg.
About Overwolf
Overwolf is the guild for in-game creators. With over 1,500 games supported, 165,000 creators, and 41 million monthly active users, Overwolf is the all-in-one platform that enables creators to build, distribute, and monetize in-game apps, mods, and private servers. Built for creators by creators, Overwolf is on a mission to unite the in-game creator community and empower them to make a living doing what they love - developing truly awesome gaming experiences. In 2022, Overwolf paid over $160 million to in-game creators. Based in Tel Aviv, Overwolf has raised over $150 million to date from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Griffin Gaming Partners, Insight Partners, and others.
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