Fnatic Announces ‘first Ever’ Safeguarding Policy For Esports Industry

Esports brand Fnatic has announced a new set of safeguarding policies designed specifically for professional gaming. 

The London-based organisation says this a first for the professional esports industry, and highlights its commitment to ‘spearheading the conversation and development of safeguarding in pro gaming’.

The Global Safeguarding Policies were developed in partnership with experts, including safeguarding training consultancy Safeguarding Today, key advisers to the government on online harms and safeguarding, and safeguarding leads at professional sports teams, including a number of Premier League clubs.

Fnatic’s two policies include the Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy, which outlines the risks faced by people under the age of 18, and the Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy, which outlines the risks faced by vulnerable adults. 

The policies also include Fnatic’s approach to responding to safeguarding complaints. 

In addition to the policies, Fnatic has also committed to a safeguarding pledge, which is ‘based on the five Rs’: rights, responsibility, respect, reporting, and risk.

“Safeguarding is hugely important for any organisation that connects with or engages with children and young people on a regular basis,” said Andrew Cooke, General Counsel, Fnatic.

“But so far there has been limited progress made when it comes to recognising and protecting the rights of young people and vulnerable adults in our industry.

“At Fnatic, we believe that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of anyone we engage with. That’s why, in partnership with leading experts in sports safeguarding, we’ve decided to lead the conversation and development of safeguarding in esports to help protect current and future pro gamers against harm. 

“We truly hope that by putting safeguarding in the spotlight and sharing it with any esports organisation interested in better understanding it, we can influence those around us to either adopt our policies and pledge completely, or use it to create policies of their own.”

Jennie Smith, Founder and Director of Safeguarding Today, which worked closely with Fnatic to develop the policies, added: “As we’ve seen in many traditional sports, it’s a matter of when, not if, a major safeguarding issue arises in esports so it’s really important that Fnatic has taken a progressive, forward-thinking view to safeguarding in the digital space to better protect those around them. 

“I support their efforts to set standards in this area and I encourage other organisations in the ecosystem to follow their lead.”

As well as publishing the policies, Fnatic has also shared its latest Insights Report – Safeguarding in Esports – which addresses the current state of safeguarding in the competitive gaming ecosystem in a bid to ‘open up the discussion’ on the issue. The report outlines the ‘unique risks’ posed in esports.