ELECTRONIC GAMES AND THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS:

TECHNOSOCIAL AND LEGAL PERSPECTIVES - THE ISSUE OF LOOT BOXES

Abstract

The present article aims to analyze the technosocial and legal dimensions of electronic games, focusing on the protection of children and adolescents in the face of monetization practices, particularly the so-called loot boxes. It begins by examining the current digital revolution, which has profoundly transformed forms of human interaction and consolidated the gaming industry as a relevant economic, cultural, and social phenomenon. Within this technosociety emerges the contemporary homo ludens, who is exposed to persuasive mechanisms that exploit cognitive vulnerabilities, especially among minors. Through the analysis of legislative texts and a bibliographic review, the article examines the growth of the digital gaming sector in Brazil, identifying regulatory gaps concerning transparency, parental control, and the normative definition of loot boxes. Finally, it highlights the challenges related to oversight and the need for coordinated policies. It concludes by advocating for a multidisciplinary regulatory framework capable of balancing innovation, playfulness, and the integral protection of children and adolescents.