Nintendo, PlayStation & Xbox Renew Safety Pledge

• Key Takeaways:
• Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft reaffirm a joint pledge first announced in 2020 to improve player safety across Switch, PlayStation and Xbox.
• The companies emphasize three shared principles: Prevention, Partnership and Responsibility to protect players, with extra focus on children.
• Industry collaboration includes work with ESRB, PEGI, Family Online Safety Institute, Thriving in Games Group and the Tech Coalition’s Lantern program.

Console makers refresh a shared commitment

Nintendo, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft say they continue to collaborate to "improve player safety across [all three] platforms." The update builds on a joint statement the companies released in 2020 and outlines how they plan to reduce abuse and protect vulnerable players.

Three core principles guide the update

Prevention: giving players and parents control

The three companies stress easy-to-use parental controls and clear information about community rules. They say safety tools must be intuitive and broadly promoted through platforms, support channels and retail.

What this means in practice

They commit to empowering parents with settings and guidance, publishing codes of conduct and enforcing policies with preventive and remedial measures designed to be transparent and user-friendly.

Partnership: industry-wide collaboration

Manufacturers pledge to work with publishers, regulators, law enforcement, non-profits and research centers to advance safety. The update highlights partnerships with the Family Online Safety Institute, Thriving in Games Group and other experts.

Shared research and programs

The companies cite joint research to shape policy and technology initiatives that help detect and deter harmful behavior. They also participate in industry programs such as the Tech Coalition’s Lantern project to improve child safety through tech and information sharing.

Responsibility: enforcement and accountability

The update reiterates that platforms will make reporting easy and apply escalating enforcement for violations. Companies will remove inappropriate content, restrict repeat offenders and notify law enforcement where there is a risk of imminent harm.

Ethics and transparency

Xbox’s statement notes a multidisciplinary approach: "We work to accomplish this by pursuing a multidisciplinary approach, integrating advanced technology, research-driven insights, supportive community efforts, and skilled human oversight." The companies say they intend to be transparent about rules and the requirements for players who have been sanctioned.

Why it matters

As online play grows, shared standards across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox can reduce inconsistent experiences and improve safety for younger players. The renewed pledge signals ongoing investment in technology and cross-industry cooperation to make gaming more welcoming for everyone.