TN Online Gaming Authority recommends state govt to implement KYC to restrict minors from e-games

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority has recommended the state govt to strictly implement KYC verification to curb online gaming addiction among minors, said the chairperson of the online gaming authority and retired IAS officer Mohammad Nasimuddin. Nasimuddin said that the authority conducted a study reviewing at least 1.50 lakh students across the state, and it focused on exposing the ill effects of online gaming addiction. Students of Class IX, X, XI, and XII, as well as college students and teachers, were interviewed. The report has been submitted to the govt."The addiction not only destroys their physical strength but also increases stress and mental problems. We will also recommend the state govt to streamline online games advertisements. The Tamil Nadu govt has gone on a Special Leave Petition (SLP) appealing against the Poker and Rummy online gaming portal before the Apex Court," said Nasimuddin. To sensitise youngsters about the dangers of online gaming, a video on ‘online gaming addiction' and an awareness campaign was launched by Tamil Nadu chief secretary N Muruganantham on Wednesday. Muruganantham said that Tamil Nadu is ahead of other states in enacting a law to regulate and prevent online gaming addiction."Online gaming has gone up after the Covid-19 pandemic, as many schools conducted their classes virtually online. Due to this, the students, especially teenagers, were addicted to many online games too," said Muruganandham. The officer added that China and Japan have banned online games in their countries. "Teachers and parents' role is crucial in monitoring their wards to ensure they are on the right path. Though we cannot stop technological developments, it is the right time to create awareness of the effective use of technology."Additional chief secretary Dheeraj Kumar said that there was a huge increase in people playing online games between 2018 and 2022. "At least 18 crore people downloaded online games in 2018 in India, while the downloads increased to 42 crore in 2022." Many students have been suffering from eye problems as they continuously watched mobile phones playing games. The officer said, "As per the study conducted among the schoolteachers in the state, at least 67 per cent of students are battling with eye problems."The awareness campaigns will be conducted for school students across the state in Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi, and other cities, said MC Sarangan, member of the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority.