Cyberbullying is one of the worst negative by-products of the internet, and it’s an issue that is spiraling further out of control. Online victimization can occur on a variety of platforms, but it is most commonly found in the world of gaming.
There are some scary statistics surrounding cyberbullying in gaming, with most online players having experienced it at least once. Game developers need to do more to eradicate this problem once and for all.
Cyberbullying is a Pertinent Issue Online
According to research from ExpressVPN, cyberbullying covers a variety of types of online abuse and harassment. It can range from hurtful comments to more serious issues like online and offline stalking. It’s an umbrella term, as there are many different ways that people can make others’ time online uncomfortable or even scary. The study and infographic provide some useful advice to internet users about how to deal with this, such as using multiple social media accounts (one public and one private) as well as only tagging locations after you’ve left a place. It also advises not to engage or retaliate. However, there are many internet users who don’t know how to deal with these problems and it can have a seriously detrimental effect on them.
In a report from AlterLife, it was found that 80 per cent of multiplayer gamers had faced online harassment at some point. Multiplayer games like DOTA 2, Grand Theft Auto V, and Call of Duty are among the most popular titles in the world, and players will continue to log on despite the possibility of cyberbullying.
Gamers are at High Risk of Cyberbullying
Not only are gamers at a higher risk of being on the receiving end of cyberbullying than others, but these victims are also 1.9 times more likely to commit suicide. It’s true that different people are affected in diverse ways, but it’s clear that some people are simply unable to cope with the abusive behavior they encounter online.
The most worrying thing about this trend is that it is getting worse every year. That’s because more people than ever are logging on to online games, which have become one of the most popular forms of playing.
Some gamers may have grown so accustomed to instances of cyberbullying in online games that they think it’s part and parcel of the experience. However, it shouldn’t be this way. Cyberbullies have thrived because of the anonymity that the online world provides, and more should be done to stop them in their tracks.
Game Developers Need to Encourage Fair Play
Users do have the power to mute, block, and report cyberbullies on various platforms and in games. However, this doesn’t get to the route of the issue, and cyberbullies may continue to abuse other people in the future. Therefore, the responsibility lies with the developers, who need to use proactive measures to stamp it out.
In an article from Game Developer, the author notes how some online forums encourage anonymity and this breeds cyberbullying. To prevent abuse from happening, therefore, online game studios should remove anonymity from their titles and require people to log on with identification. They should also encourage fair play by introducing better rewards for people who play in an amicable fashion.
If cyberbullying in games isn’t dealt with now, it will become a much bigger issue in the future. The duty lies with the game creators, who should install protocols in the games to reduce the risk of harassment.
I'm a published author and proud US Army veteran who happens to be a gamer, so I decided to combine the two and love every minute of it! Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments and I'll be sure to get back to you.
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