Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) has become one of the most popular mobile games in India, especially among teenagers. Developed by Krafton, BGMI is essentially the Indian version of PUBG Mobile, reintroduced with country-specific modifications after PUBG’s ban in India in 2020. With millions of active players and widespread cultural reach, it’s natural for parents to wonder:
Is BGMI safe for kids?
Let’s explore the risks, benefits, and how parents can ensure a healthy gaming experience for their children.
🎮 What is BGMI?
BGMI is a free-to-play battle royale game where players are dropped onto a virtual map and compete to be the last person or team standing. Players can use a variety of weapons, vehicles, and strategies to survive and eliminate others.
The game features:
- Multiplayer interaction (voice chat, text chat)
- In-game purchases
- Realistic graphics
- Daily challenges and rankings
These elements make BGMI thrilling and addictive, especially for young minds.
👀 Why Do Kids Love It?
- Social connection – Playing with friends online builds a sense of community.
- Thrill of competition – Fast-paced matches and ranking systems keep them coming back.
- Customization – Skins, outfits, and character upgrades appeal to their creativity.
- Streaming culture – Popular YouTubers and streamers playing BGMI make it aspirational.
🚨 Potential Risks Parents Should Know
While BGMI offers fun and strategic thinking, there are genuine concerns:
1. Violence and Aggression
Though animated, the game involves shooting and survival tactics. Continuous exposure to in-game violence can desensitize children or lead to aggressive behavior, especially in younger age groups.
2. Addiction
BGMI can be highly addictive. The thrill of winning, upgrading rank, or unlocking new rewards can lead to excessive screen time, disturbed sleep, and even neglect of studies or real-world social interactions.
3. In-Game Purchases
Despite being free to download, BGMI includes microtransactions for skins, outfits, and battle passes. Without supervision, kids may unknowingly spend real money on in-game items.
4. Online Strangers and Voice Chat
The game allows communication with strangers. This opens the door to cyberbullying, foul language, or even inappropriate conversations, which may be harmful or unsafe.
5. Physical & Mental Health Concerns
Prolonged play can cause eye strain, headaches, poor posture, and reduced physical activity. Mental health can also take a hit if the child becomes too attached to wins/losses.
🛡 What Has BGMI Done to Make It Safer?
Krafton has made specific changes in BGMI to make it more suitable for young users:
- Gameplay Limits for Minors: Players under 18 are restricted to 3 hours of play per day.
- Spending Cap: A maximum spending limit of ₹7,000 per day is imposed.
- OTP Verification: Age verification through One-Time Password linked to a parent’s mobile number.
- Break Reminders: Regular messages encouraging players to take breaks.
- Green Blood: Instead of red, the game uses green blood to tone down violence.
- Warning Messages: “Game is not real life” prompts appear during gameplay.
These steps indicate Krafton’s intention to make the game more acceptable for younger audiences.