The UK's Online Safety Bill has passed Parliament, aiming to protect children online by restricting their ability to interact with strangers in online games and going further than any other country in its regulations.
The California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), requiring publishers to give two months' notice before delisting games, offer refunds, and ensure continued access for players. The bill, which excludes free or subscription-based games, now moves to the State Senate.
A special education institute in eastern China that targets “problematic” teenagers has sparked controversy for allowing its students to carry toy dolls throughout the school day as part of gratitude lessons. Yuanzhong Special Education School, located in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, accepts adolescent students who exhibit rebellious behaviour, lack motivation for studying, are addicted to online games, or display a fiery temper and early dating tendencies. Recently, videos of students carrying toy...
MeitY has notified new regulations exempting online games without real money stakes from mandatory registration. Real-money games will undergo stricter evaluation based on entry fees, winnings expectations, and monetization models, with the designated authority having 90 days to deliver decisions. Competitive e-sports receives separate classification, while banks and payment companies will enforce bans by blocking financial transactions to banned platforms. User safety features including fair play systems and cybersecurity protections are mandated across eligible platforms.
