Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) requiring online gaming platforms to join recognised age-rating frameworks and (b) allowing Ofcom to investigate serious individual complaints about gameplay.

While there is no legal requirement for online games to display ratings, most major storefronts require the display of PEGI ratings. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works closely with the Games Rating Authority in the UK to promote and encourage the display of age ratings online.

We expect all platforms, including user-to-user games services in scope of the Online Safety Act, to comply with the law. This currently requires all user-to-user and search services to have systems and processes in place to remove illegal content, and in the coming months, to protect children from harmful content.

The government keeps all legislation under review and will act where necessary to keep people safe online.