Online games play an important role in the lives of many children, teens, and young people, across all gender identities today. For many, these games are not only sources of entertainment but also important social spaces where players interact, learn, explore their identities, and find a sense of belonging.
Often, online games are often viewed as neutral, universally engaging platforms, offering a digital environment that caters to all. Yet, research increasingly shows that factors such as age and gender can shape gaming experiences in subtle and uneven ways, given how they intersect with wider social dynamics, norms, and expectations.
Recently, the importance of both age- appropriate and gender-sensitive design in in-game content and play mechanics has begun to be recognised, with some progress in implementation—particularly in age-appropriate approaches. But when it comes to designing player support and community safety tools, age and gender considerations are often overlooked by standardised, “one-size-fits-all” models. This may delay intervention, weaken prevention, and risk children and youth underreporting important concerns about their safety and wellbeing.
How then can Trust & Safety professionals, community managers, and safety teams design better support that actually reaches players?