Plea In Delhi High Court Seeks Directions To Formulate Policy For Protection Of Children From Online Gaming Addiction, Regulatory Body To Monitor Gaming Content

A petition has been moved in the Delhi High Court seeking directions on the Centre to formulate a policy for protection of children from online gaming addition as well as constitution of a regulatory body to monitor gaming content, including both online and offline gaming.

The plea moved by NGO Distress Management Collective through Advocates Robin Raju and Deepa Joseph makes Union of India through Ministry of Woman and Child Development and Ministry of Law and Justice as Respondents.

According to the petitioner NGO, it has been stated that the petition was filed after it had received complaints from parents concerned about their children getting addicted to online games and we're therefore showing psychological problems as a result thereof.

"The pandemic period has posed a major problem in controlling and monitoring children from excessive gadget use. As classes are now online so parents are not in a position to reprimand children for being with a mobile phone, like they did in the past." The plea states.

Placing reliance on the study by "The Lancet ", the plea avers that violent online games also rewards violent behaviour.

The petitioner also relies on the recent Madras High Court order expressing concerns over the growing menace of children and young adults being addicted to their electronic devices, the plea states:

"It may not be out of place to mention that the issue of the negative influence of violent online games has been seriously taken up by Government of Bangladesh recently. As per recent media reports Bangladesh is considering to ban two popular games PUBG and Garena Free Fire as they are causing gaming addiction among children."

The plea also mentions that a representation was sent by the petitioner NGO to the Centre requesting it to constitute a regulatory body with experts who can trace games that are violent in nature or where money is extracted for playing.

"The body should comprise of members who have the expertise to suggest changes to the developers of violent games and should also be given the mandate to give ratings for each game as is done in UK and other European Countries." The plea avers.

The plea seeks the following prayers:

- A writ of mandamus to direct the Respondents to consider formulating a national policy that protects the children of our country from online games addiction.

- A writ of mandamus to direct the Respondent for constituting a regulatory authority to monitor and rate the content of both offline and online games.

- Alternatively, direct the Respondent No.1 to take necessary action on representation dt. 09.07.2021 of the petitioner.

Title: Distress Management Collective v. UOI & Anr.