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| (Image Source: Mobidictum/PlaySafe ID) |
PlaySafe ID, the platform that keeps cheaters, bots, and predators out of games, has released new data highlighting a critical blind spot among parents regarding online gaming safety, even as broader concerns about digital harm to children escalate. The figures land as the UK’s much-debated Online Safety Act comes into effect, placing legal duties on tech companies to tackle harmful content and protect children from online abuse. According to the findings, 57% of parents are scared about harmful material on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, but only 39% express the same level of fear about online gaming. 60% of parents are scared of children being contacted by adults who intend to do them harm in video games. The data comes at a time when NSPCC data shows an 89% increase in “sexual communication with a child” offences recorded by UK police since 2017.
PlaySafe ID CEO Andrew Wailes commented, “The Online Safety Act is a key piece of legislation that finally places responsibility on tech companies and games industry organisations to ensure children are protected from illegal and harmful content. At PlaySafe ID, our primary goal is to make online spaces secure and free from predators, while giving parents peace of mind. We help studios and publishers comply with safeguarding legislation, reducing both legal and reputational risk. The data from our study shows that parents are scared and want safer digital spaces for their children. At PlaySafe ID, we believe every child should be able to play games without the risk of harm from malicious actors or predators.” Here are the key findings of the PlaySafe ID Online Safety Study:
• 42% of parents do not think video game companies are doing enough to keep children safe.
• 28% of parents think video game companies are doing enough to keep children safe
• Parents of those aged 4-6 and 7-9 (both 51%) are the most concerned that video game companies aren’t doing enough and this also increases to 58% among younger parents aged 18-34.
• Parents of an under 18 are most scared that their child might encounter harm or inappropriate/dangerous content is social media in general (57%) followed by TikTok (52%).
• Furthermore, three fifths (60%) of parents of an under 18 are scared about the prospect of their child being contacted by adults who intend to do them harm in video games, increasing to 68% of mothers.
• The parents of children aged 10-12 (66%) are the most scared of their children being contacted by adults followed by parents of those aged 7-9 (65%).
The introduction of the Online Safety Act is intended to address many of the dangers highlighted in PlaySafe ID’s research by legally requiring companies to identify, manage and reduce risks on their platforms. This includes gaming, which is now under the same scrutiny as social media when it comes to child protection. Firms that fail to comply could face fines of up to £18M (18 million British pounds) or 10% of their global annual turnover. PlaySafe ID's Online Safety Study was conducted by independent market research agency Opinium Research on July 15-18, 2025. The survey group implementing the fieldwork on the study asked 2,000 adults in the UK and then gated to only include parents/guardians of children under 18 in which 601 matched this criteria.
