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.