Italy Antitrust Authority Investigates Activision Blizzard's In‑Game Spending Practices Involving Children

Monetisation practices in video games that target children and encourage in‑game spending

The Scripture calls the faithful to protect the vulnerable, especially children, and to act with justice and charity toward them (Proverbs 31:8; Sirach 2:13). Exploiting children’s desire for virtual items for profit conflicts with these principles.

The passages Proverbs 31:8 ("Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.") and Sirach 2:13 ("For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.") speak directly to the duty to defend and protect children. Targeting children with persuasive spending mechanisms runs contrary to the biblical call to protect the weak and act with compassion.

Both verses highlight a biblical mandate to speak up for and protect children, which is directly relevant to the issue of corporate practices that may exploit children's vulnerability for profit.

The supplied passages are the only scriptural evidence available; no direct biblical text addresses modern video‑game monetisation, so the analysis relies on general principles concerning the protection of children and the exercise of justice and charity.

The Bible does not mention digital games or in‑app purchases; the application of ancient moral teachings to contemporary commercial practices is an interpretive extension. The classification reflects tension between the practice and the biblical virtues, not a definitive judgment of sin.