Technology alone cannot replace active parental involvement, video game developers say

Industry group urges parents to rely on age ratings, parental controls, and digital literacy instead of outright bans to keep children safe online.

Technology alone cannot keep children safe online, according to the local video game industry, which is urging Filipino parents to play a bigger role in supervising what their children play instead of relying on outright bans.

The Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) said protecting children in digital spaces requires greater awareness of age ratings, parental controls, and responsible online behavior, calling these approaches more effective long-term solutions than outright bans on video games.

The non-profit group noted that many games already carry internationally recognized age classifications and built-in parental controls, but these safeguards only work when parents and guardians actively use them.

GDAP also cited decades of international research indicating that violent video games alone have not been proven to directly cause serious real-world violence. Instead, it said multiple factors, including family involvement, mental health, bullying, and digital literacy, shape youth behavior.

Rather than focusing solely on game content, the organization urged stakeholders to strengthen digital parenting, improve online safety education in schools, and expand public awareness campaigns to help families navigate children’s increasing exposure to digital platforms.

The association said developers, technology platforms, schools, government agencies, and parents all have a role to play in making online spaces safer for children, adding that technology alone cannot replace active parental guidance.

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