Survey Reveals Over Half Of Game Users Encounter Extremist Ideologies, 36% Experience Harassment

Concerning findings have emerged regarding the exposure of game users to extremist ideologies: more than half — 51% — of game users have come across them while playing.

The study, conducted by the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, also revealed approximately one-third — 36% — of the participants have faced harassment while engaging in online gaming over the past year.

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"A growing body of evidence shows that bad actors exploit basic features of video games and adjacent platforms to channel hate-based rhetoric, network with potential sympathizers and mobilize for action — sometimes with deadly consequences," the report said.

The survey collected 1,128 responses from individuals residing in the U.S., Germany, South Korea, France and the U.K.

With regard to severe harassment experienced by underage children, the survey showed 24% of them had suffered hate raiding and mobbing, 15% sexual harassment, 15% received threats of violence and 9% were stalked.

The report also noted that while some gaming companies improved their detection and moderation systems, the overall industry still lagged behind mainstream social media platforms when addressing abuse.

The NYU study concluded by making a call for urgent action from within the gaming industry and recommended companies update their codes of conduct, invest in better detection systems, prioritize safety measures in product design, collaborate with researchers and join coalitions to combat extremism.

In December 2022, lawmakers from the U.S. Congress sent a letter to some of the world’s biggest video game companies, demanding to know what actions they’re taking to fight against “harassment and extremism” in their games.

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