Child protection and ethical issues in esports: An in-depth analysis

Esports has become a cultural phenomenon and a serious industry in recent years. What was once considered a leisure activity for a few has developed into a global market generating millions of viewers and billions in revenue. However, with this rapid growth comes new challenges – particularly in the areas of child protection and ethics. In an industry where many professional players begin their careers as teenagers, protecting young people and ensuring fair and ethical conditions have become central issues. This blog post explores the most important aspects of child protection and ethical issues in esports.

The appeal of esports for young people

Before addressing the issues, it's important to understand the appeal of esports for young people. Esports not only offers entertainment but also the opportunity to compete with peers on a global level. For many young people, the prospect of becoming famous through gaming or even earning millions is incredibly enticing. Tournaments like the "Fortnite World Cup" or "The International" in Dota 2 , which offer millions in prize money, seem like a dream for many young players.

Additionally, esports titles like League of Legends , Counter-Strike , or Overwatch offer a high level of competition that's often more intense than traditional video games. The social aspect of esports—teams, guilds, clans, and a global community—is also a strong draw for young people, who often want to be part of a community.

The risks for young players

Esports offers many benefits for young players, but also significant risks. Without appropriate safeguards and awareness of the associated dangers, participating in professional gaming or even recreational competitions can have negative consequences. The biggest risks include:

Excessive screen consumption and health effects
Many young people spend several hours a day in front of screens, whether for training or tournaments. This can lead to physical problems such as eye strain, back pain, and wrist injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome). Furthermore, lack of sleep and poor posture can cause long-term health problems.
Psychological pressure and stress
Young people who want to succeed in esports often face enormous pressure to perform. Professional esports players train for hours, often at the expense of their social and academic commitments. The pressure to consistently perform and meet the expectations of fans, teams, and sponsors can lead to stress, anxiety, and in some cases, burnout. This psychological pressure is especially dangerous for young players, who may not yet have the necessary coping skills.
Early entry into the professional scene
Some players begin their careers as teenagers, often as young as 13 or 14. While this is not uncommon in traditional sports like tennis or soccer, it presents specific challenges in esports. Many young esports athletes are not yet mature enough to handle the demands of professional life—whether it's dealing with contracts, traveling to international tournaments, or the pressure of competing in a competitive environment.
Addictive potential
The addictive potential of video games is well-documented, and esports often exacerbates this. The constant opportunity to improve and the pursuit of perfection can lead to excessive consumption. Young players, in particular, are at high risk of falling into a spiral of endless training sessions, which can negatively impact their social lives and academic performance.
Online harassment and bullying
The esports scene, especially in highly competitive gaming environments, can be a harsh and sometimes toxic environment. Bullying, cyberbullying, and online harassment are widespread. Young players who strive to excel in this environment are often insulted, discriminated against, or even targeted, whether through hostile comments or targeted in-game "griefing" tactics.

Ethical issues in esports

In addition to the specific risks for young people, there are also a number of ethical issues that are discussed in esports generally. These questions affect both the players themselves and the organizations and companies behind the games and tournaments.

1. Player contracts and exploitation

A major problem in esports is the unequal bargaining power between young players and esports organizations. Many young players are inexperienced when it comes to negotiating contracts and often don't understand the long-term consequences. Some organizations exploit this by offering unfair contracts that leave players few rights while imposing high standards of performance and behavior. There are cases where players are tied to restrictive contracts that guarantee them only a small fraction of the winnings or restrict their freedom to move to other teams.

It is important that a legal framework is created here to protect young players and ensure they are treated fairly. Similar to traditional sports, unions or player representatives could be a solution to better represent players' interests.

2. Monitoring and regulations

There is currently little uniform regulation in esports, especially with regard to youth protection. There is a lack of overarching guidelines for protecting young players, such as maximum playing times, age restrictions for competition, or mandatory breaks. Stronger regulation could help protect young players from overwork and the negative effects of excessive gaming.

Countries like South Korea, which have a very strong esports culture, have already implemented measures to protect younger players. For example, they have laws prohibiting young people under 16 from playing online games after midnight. Such measures could be adopted worldwide to protect young players without harming esports as a whole.

3. Sponsorship and advertising

Another ethical issue concerns sponsorship and advertising in esports. Many esports teams and tournaments are funded by large corporations that promote products that may not be suitable for young audiences. These include alcohol, energy drinks, or gambling sites. The question arises as to whether it is ethical to promote such products in an industry where many participants and spectators are underage.

Clear guidelines would be necessary to ensure that products harmful to minors are not uncritically promoted in esports. Esports organizations should also ensure they choose sponsors who respect their values and the protection of young people.

4. Equality and inclusion

Esports still faces significant challenges regarding gender equality and minority inclusion. Women and non-binary people are severely underrepresented in professional esports and often face discrimination and prejudice. Ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ people also encounter hostility in many esports communities.

Efforts are being made to address these inequalities, whether through women's leagues, diversity training, or anti-discrimination policies. However, much remains to be done to make esports truly inclusive and equitable. An ethical responsibility lies with both organizers and teams and players to advocate for greater diversity and combat discrimination.

Conclusion: A future for esports with responsibility

Esports has the potential to become an integral part of the global sports and entertainment system, but only if it addresses the challenges of youth protection and ethics. Players, especially young people, must be protected and supported to find a healthy balance between their esports lives and their overall well-being.

It is the responsibility of developers, teams, organizations, and the community at large to ensure that esports remains a safe and ethical space where both competition and player well-being are prioritized. Only then can esports grow sustainably and reach its full potential.