The OIC General Secretariat and the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA), in coordination with SESRIC and other relevant OIC organs and institutions, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Chair of the Fifth Session of the Islamic Conference on Youth and Sports Ministers), organised a Symposium on “Empowering Youth in Member States Through Video Games and Social Media: Opportunities and Challenges” on 4 September 2025. The Symposium was conducted in a hybrid format at the Headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Symposium focused on both the positive and negative aspects of video games by analysing their opportunities and challenges together. On the one hand, the event increased awareness of the harmful effects of unethical video games and social media on youth education, contributed to the development of guidelines for parents, educators, and policymakers on monitoring their use, and strengthened support for research into the psychological and social impact of gaming. On the other hand, the Symposium highlighted the positive cultural impact of video games, their role in economic growth, and their potential as AI-enhanced teaching tools.

The discussions addressed the effects of addiction, along with the impacts on cognition, life skill development, and social inclusion, as well as the economic potential and innovation opportunities within the OIC gaming sector. The programme also featured a presentation by SESRIC on “Youth in OIC Countries in the Era of Digitalisation”, highlighting statistical trends, opportunities, and policy implications for leveraging digital tools to enhance youth development while mitigating associated risks.