TAK Index does not recommend user-generated gaming apps for children in younger age groups and considers these apps for children aged 16 and over.

What is a User Generated Gaming App?

Participation has become an integral part of the development of digital networks. Many digital platforms now prefer to include content created by their users rather than a one-way transmission of content. This increased importance of participation has also changed the digital gaming experience. For many digital and mobile gaming platforms, the content created by their users has become the game itself, and the concept of a user-generated gaming experience has emerged. To be able to generate the content positively affects users' creativity. Also, users can share their game content with many people globally and have the opportunity to have their game content evaluated by many people. In doing so, users experience being a member of a global community which positively affects their social connectedness. The opportunity to generate the content also requires a significant level of commitment and dedication for users which positively affects their sense of responsibility. Consequently, playing user-generated gaming apps can give a sense of valuable achievement to children. However, it is also critical to consider the negative aspects of these apps besides their positive aspects.

Allowing game content to be generated by all users makes it difficult to control game content. Therefore, the possibility of encountering harmful content by users becomes significantly higher. In addition, many user-generated gaming apps allow users to interact with other users. This can undoubtedly have dangerous consequences for children. Furthermore, the content created by users through these apps can be evaluated and commented on by other users. Any negative comment could be very frustrating for children. Such negative aspects make the suitability of user-generated gaming apps for young children problematic.