Brussels, September 16, 2024 – A new study shows that parents in Belgium are generally positive about their children’s video game experience. The study, commissioned by Video Games Federation Belgium, or VGFB , surveyed 706 Belgian parents of children aged 4 to 17 who play video games. General Manager VGFB, David Verbruggen: “Parents remain aware of the expenses their children make while playing video games. The study also shows that video games have a positive influence on children. And parents know where to find information about the video games their children play, such as on our websites speelhetslim.be and jouezmalin.be.”

Belgian parents remain aware of the expenses their children make while playing video games, thanks to the tools provided for this purpose:

  • Parental control: parents are aware of potential purchases in a video game but remain in control.

    • Of all the parental controls the industry offers, Belgian parents with children playing video games, are most aware of the setting to limit or disable in-game purchases.

    • Another study by research firm Ipsos* commissioned by Video Games Europe indicates that 95% of European parents monitor their children’s spending using tools developed for this purpose by the sector: parental control tools and the PEGI age classification system. *this is not a Belgian study, all other figures in this press release are Belgian data

  • Clear agreements: only 30% of Belgian parents allow their children to purchase in-game content while playing video games.

    • Barely 17% of Belgian parents allow their children to spend between €10 and €50 per month and this figure has stagnated since measurements began in 2021.

    • 9% of Belgian parents allow less than €10 per month.

    • Less than 3% of Belgian parents allow more than €50 per month.

    • Only 1% of parents indicate that they have no insight into this.

  • Transparency is key: the sector itself stands for honesty and transparency by providing clarity about the purchase of in-game content.

    • The distinction between the gameplay and the commercial aspect of in-game purchases must be clear to players.

    • The price of in-game currency must be clearly displayed at the time of purchase and the purchase must be confirmed with a receipt or invoice.

    • Games that contain in-game content must clearly display the PEGI icon for in-game purchases.

    • Where it is apparent that purchases have been made without parental knowledge or consent, video game companies will offer reasonable refunds and provide instructions on how to activate and manage parental controls and family settings.

    • Using in-game currency is not a commercial transaction or purchase, it is the use of in-game content.

Belgian parents see the benefits of video games for their children:

  • English language proficiency: 54% of parents in Flanders and 39% in Wallonia believe that playing video games improves their children’s English language proficiency.

  • Creativity: parents see playing video games as a boost to their children’s creativity, with 49% of parents in both regions confirming this positive influence.

  • Intelligence: playing games is associated with an improvement in their children’s intelligence by 33% of parents in Flanders and 22% in Wallonia.

  • Social skills: playing video games improves children’s social skills, according to 31% of parents in Flanders and 27% in Wallonia.

Belgian children play video games for less time per week than the average European

  • Playtime: the same study shows that 3 out of 4 Belgian parents make clear agreements about how long their child is allowed to play video games. The average playtime of Belgian children is 7 hours per week and is significantly lower than the European average of 9 hours per week.

  • Popular platforms: most children playing video games, are boys (69%), with game consoles being the most used. Girls, on the other hand, like to play on smartphones and/or tablets. In terms of games, Fortnite is very popular, as are Roblox, Minecraft and all Mario games.

  • Playing together: the study also shows that 78% of Belgian parents sometimes or often play with their children.

  • Good insight into the video game experience: 75% of Belgian parents with children between the ages of 4 and 17 playing video games, have a good insight into their children’s video game experience.

To the full report

For tips and inspiration on safe and responsible video gameplay: Speelhetslim (Dutch) or jouezmalin (French).