With the development of the Internet and the gaming industry, many things have emerged that are both good and bad. Although technology has given us a new way to socialise and entertain ourselves, it has also given rise to the phenomenon of cyberbullying, which is a common occurrence in modern gaming communities.
This unfortunate and persistent problem has affected various online spaces and has spread to unhealthy communities.
In multiplayer and online games, players connect, compete, and communicate in a virtual environment, but not all of them are well-behaved and well-intentioned, which has led to the rise of toxic behaviours, including harassment, trolling, and bullying, which can significantly affect people’s mental health and social interactions.
In this article, we will discuss the different ways cyberbullying manifests itself in games, its impact on mental health, and how to avoid it.
Understanding Cyberbullying in the Gaming World
Cyberbullying could be verbal abuse through chats and even sabotage during the game itself. This kind of bullying can occur in any game where players interact. An example is competitive multiplayer games like Dota 2, League of Legends, and Fortnite.
The basis for this phenomenon is that online platforms provide such a cover for the bullies in targeting the victim without an immediate psychological consequence, which has resulted in increasing toxic behavior.
This case is most common in games where a ranking has been attached or when there are online tournaments because players fully spend their time and effort on their performances.
There are several forms of cyberbullying, with verbal harassment and threats being one of the most common. Players can insult others based on their level of play, appearance, gender, etc. without thinking about the consequences.
As you may have read in Dota news, even at the professional level, there are times when things happen that can lead to a team being disqualified from a tournament.
In some cases, in-game altercations can escalate into more severe behaviour, such as personal attacks and even disclosure of personal information to intimidate the victim.
It’s good that developers are fighting this by blocking the accounts of those who receive complaints about this topic.
The Impact of Cyberbullying on Mental Health
The effects of cyberbullying in games extend far beyond the virtual world. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can result from prolonged exposure to online harassment.
Many gamers experience feelings of isolation, stress, and helplessness after being bullied, which can ultimately affect their performance both in-game and in real life.
There have even been some studies in this area that have shown that a certain percentage of players who have become victims of cyberbullying have begun to feel emotionally drained and demotivated.
This can not only lead to a decrease in interest in games, but also affect the emotional state in real life.
For some, these negative experiences can cause them to withdraw from social interactions, which can affect their relationships with friends and family members. In fact, this is a very serious problem and the sooner the community overcomes it, the more promising and kinder it will become.
How Cyberbullying Affects Social Interactions in Gaming Communities
While some online games are more like a place for socializing and building communities, some players link up with others to form teams and share experiences. Unfortunately, when toxic behavior hides behind the mask of these interactions, the consequences vary.
Cyberbullying will convert that atmosphere into a toxic zone where healthy interactions are discouraged. As a result, players develop less willingness to socialize or form meaningful relationships.
Therefore, knowing these negative consequences, you need to know who to trust in the gaming community and who not to trust. Players may not be aware of the negative consequences of communicating with seemingly online friends.
Cyberbullying also undermines trust in those you know, and players may be hesitant to communicate or share strategies with others for fear of being ridiculed or harassed. This creates an unhealthy atmosphere that is uncomfortable for all team members and that spoils cooperation and camaraderie.
In some cases, players even leave gaming communities and rooms, further isolating themselves from their peers and leading to a lack of support.
Addressing Cyberbullying: Steps to Take for a Healthier Gaming Environment
Digital bullying in games has no easy solution, but numerous ways exist that may help bootstrap its considerations. Most game developers and gaming platforms have started judging their formats for becoming stricter in terms of the rules and moderation systems for online harassment.
These include: report systems, in-game muting options, and abusive language automatic detection. Meanwhile, some gaming companies are already taking the lead in promoting mental health for players affected by cyberbullying as they source and provide counseling services to those players.
Players need to actively engage in making a community that is healthy and all-inclusive where every communication is done freely without any possibility of cyberbullying. One of the ways to achieve this is by reporting toxic behaviours, kicking out players who do not abide by the rules and complaining about those spread toxic culture.
Also remember to support fellow players who are abused in games to promote kindness and respect in the community.
Together taking the collective responsibility of each other’s well-being, the gaming community can easily become more inclusive and supportive space for all.
Conclusion
Cyberbullying in games is a really important issue in the modern gaming community and needs to be addressed quickly. It affects both the mental health of players and the overall social interaction of players in video games.
Developers are increasingly taking steps to address this issue and reduce the number of toxic players to make the environment safer for everyone. It is important for both players and developers to be aware of and recognise cyberbullying in order to tackle the issue together.
Going forward, the gaming community must put emphasis on mental health and social wellbeing so everyone knows that they can play without fear of being attacked or discriminated against.
