Fostering Awareness, Inclusion, and Resilience in Gaming Environments

forthcoming

FAIR GAME (full name: Fostering Awareness, Inclusion, and Resilience in Gaming Environments) is a project which seeks to address the intersection of children's rights and mental well-being in digital gaming spaces. As online gaming communities expand, they present both opportunities for social interaction and serious risks, including cyberbullying, exploitative monetization tactics, exposure to harmful content, and mental health impacts such as anxiety, addiction, and social isolation. FAIR GAME responds to these concerns by equipping children, parents, educators, and gaming industry stakeholders with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to foster safer, more inclusive, and mentally supportive gaming environments. The online gaming ecosystem is a significant part of children's digital lives. Studies highlight that young gamers frequently encounter discriminatory behavior, aggression, and manipulative design practices designed to maximize engagement at the cost of mental well-being. Gaming platforms also struggle to uphold child safeguarding obligations effectively, often failing to implement transparent reporting mechanisms and user-centered moderation. FAIR GAME aims to empower children as active participants in shaping positive digital environments. By developing co-created interventions and building industry accountability, the project aligns with the EU's Better Internet for Kids (BIK+) strategy and the Digital Services Act (DSA) requirements for child protection in digital spaces.