A landmark safeguarding conference has been organized by British Esports in collaboration with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). This conference is designed to bring together industry stakeholders, foster best practices, and encourage a safer esports environment for all.
The NSPCC and British Esports, the leading children’s charity in the UK and the premier national body for esports respectively, have united in an effort to establish a new safeguarding paradigm for young individuals within the esports industry.
The NSPCC Safeguarding in Esports Conference, scheduled for Friday, 9th February at the Confetti X esports arena in Nottingham, aims to equip attendees with the necessary knowledge and guidance pertaining to safeguarding responsibilities. This conference is held as a part of the national Game Safe Festival, announced recently by NSPCC, from the 5th till the 11th of February.
A keynote speech will be delivered by Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of NSPCC, along with presentations from the likes of Michelle North, Associate Head of the Child Protection in Sport Unit. The agenda includes sharing best practices from traditional sports and esports, addressing industry-centric challenges, and creating a dialogue to mold further guidance for raising safeguarding standards in the esports industry.
NSPCC’s recent report discloses an increase of 82% in online grooming crimes against children over the past five years. This coincides with Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, publishing a fresh report on children’s perspectives on video gaming, highlighting the substantial impact video games have on younger generations and the necessity of balancing fun with safety and health.
The open-invite conference invites organizations from diverse fields including esports, education, traditional sports and business, along with individuals like influencers, coaches, parents and athletes. Participants can join either in-person or virtually.
Tom Dore, Vice President at British Esports, expressed:
“The announcement of our partnership with NSPCC and the Safeguarding in Esports Conference marks a significant milestone in the development of effective measures for online safety and esports safeguarding. As the esports industry expands its appeal to a younger audience, it is our duty to prioritize safeguarding in order to create a safe environment. We are excited to work with NSPCC, welcoming everyone to this unique safeguarding esports conference.”
The Head of Gaming Partnerships at NSPCC, Lewie Procter, stated:
“Our entry into the realm of gaming begins with this crucial conference.”
“The NSPCC is committed to protecting children, both in the real world and online. The NSPCC Safeguarding in Esports Conference enables us not only to share our values with the esports community but also to deepen our understanding of the ever-evolving technology landscape. Ultimately, our goal is to join forces with industry partners to further the cause of child safety.”
Tickets for the conference are currently available in scarce quantities through the ‘Get Involved’ section of the official Game Safe website. Game Safe Festival | Esports tournament, workshops & more | NSPCC.
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