Many games put age restrictions due to several understandable reasons. For instance, the Super League has put an age limit of 6 to 16 years old. Other types of sports limit the minimum age to 18 years old, while others have none. Mostly, the reason organizers put an age limit is not that younger players cannot participate in sports.
The main reason is due to concerns by parents and society. They feel the child is too young to start engaging in sports. eSport games are still new and developing. There are no official laws developed yet, but organizers are not bound by law not to set age limits.
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Addressing parent’s and society’s concerns
eSports is different from traditional games that require a lot of vigor and strength. Many leagues and organizers of sports set age limits due to the safety of children. They feel children are not strong enough to compete in vigorous sports, including soccer, hockey, and basketball. The games require players to be away from home most of the time or to travel overseas often.
Many parents have a feeling that a child will miss a strong educational foundation if they keep missing school often. There is also the issue of safety if they have to be away from the care of parents or teachers. Based on these concerns, leagues and organizers have set age limits for various sports. eSports do not require a sports field like traditional games. It only requires an arena and the necessary gadgets.
Is age an issue in eSport?
eSports is evolving fast and is loved by both the youngest players and the oldest. At home, children start playing computer games when they are below five years old. Most of the games they play are the same types of games played in eSport tournaments. Many stakeholders in the eSports field argue that what is most important in eSports is the skills that a player needs to develop but not age.
The youngest player can build skills good enough to help them compete against older players. If they feel confident enough, the player can search for upcoming tournaments on https://progamestars.com/ and find out what games they can be allowed to play based on age. Other issues must be considered, though.
eSports age restrictions by leagues
Although there are no laws that guide leagues on a minimum age of players, leagues are not prevented from setting their own age limit guidelines. The leagues, however, need to consider all current concerns, including children’s safety, frailty, and self-care. So far, a large portion of parents still have reservations about eSports.
Nevertheless, there is a widespread acceptance of the games by the young, youth, and older generations. Some eSports arenas have rules that require participants to be a minimum of 13 years old to be allowed to enter the arena. Any player below 13 years old who desires to participate in the games must be accompanied by an adult 21 years old or higher.
eSports age limit based on game content and entry fees
eSports game types range from fighting games to racing, sports, real-time strategy, multi-player, and first-person shooter games. In some eSports arenas, any game that is rated M-Mature cannot be played by players under the age of 17. If a minor below the age of 17 must play, they must be in the company of a chaperone 21 years old or higher.
Content that is rated A- Adults can only be played by players aged 18 years or higher. There is also the issue of eSports tournaments that require an entry fee to an eSports arena. In such a case, the player must be 17 years old or higher. If they are younger, they must be in the company of a chaperone 21 years old or higher.
Conclusion
No age restrictions have been put in place for the eSports field. Nevertheless, eSports arenas and leagues put age limits due to various concerns. Many parents are concerned about whether they can allow their young kids to participate in professional eSports due to their safety. Age restrictions help protect children from playing eSports that are rated mature or adults. To address the concerns, eSports stakeholders create laws that govern minimum age requirements for players.