The esports sector is neglecting the well-being and rights of young competitors, a new investigation reveals. The research, titled Protecting Child Rights in Esports, was published by Save the Children on Tuesday. It finds that as many as 300 million children globally engaged in competitive gaming encounter hazards such as sleep disruption, physical stress, mental health deterioration, and online abuse—yet few protections exist to mitigate these threats.
The study argues that esports environments replicate the demands of professional sports but without equivalent safeguards for young participants. Sleep loss from overnight gaming sessions, musculoskeletal problems, and the psychological burden of high-stakes competition are recurring issues. Mental health resources remain scarce despite the industry’s heavy reliance on public platforms like Twitch and YouTube, where harassment and toxic behavior are widespread.
An examination of 302 clips from the top 20 Twitch streamers uncovered disturbing patterns. 62% of streams included sexist language, 37% included racist language, 84% included ableist language, and 97% included violent language. These interactions occur in spaces where young players form communities but also face unchecked hostility. The report stresses that many lack the resilience or guidance to handle such exposure safely.
Physical risks are similarly overlooked. Long periods of sitting, inadequate breaks and training schedules that encroach on sleep, physical activity or schoolwork are among the concerns facing young players. Training schedules often clash with education, family time, and rest, yet no industry-wide limits on playtime or standardized training protocols exist. A spokesperson for a national esports federation admitted that while fragmented research suggests best practices, such as regular breaks and hydration, no unified standards govern the sector.
Some elite players maintain healthy routines, but protective measures remain inconsistent. Large-scale events also carry risks when supervision is insufficient.
Though progress exists in isolated areas, such as mental health training for staff and fitness priorities among top competitors, these initiatives lack coordination. The report urges greater child involvement in decision-making and calls for industry standards aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Without such changes, the report warns, young players will continue to face disproportionate harm.
