Saturday, November 10, 2012

Bullying Continues in the Online Gaming World

Internet bullying has finally made its way into the spotlight. The tragic case of Amanda Todd has shone has revealed that bullying exists in the online world. Whether in internet chat rooms, multiplayer console games or online poker sites, women are the victims of dangerous and harmful bullying.

Traditionally, bullying takes place in grade school and high school. Eventually, the bully grows out of his or her behaviour. However, the internet has made it possible for bullies to continue their abusive behaviour, as the anonymity the online world provides seems to make individuals much bolder. Chat rooms and internet forms aren?t the only places in which bullies find victims; the gaming market also sees its fair share of bullying ? and women are often the victims.

Recent reports have found that female gamers are usually targeted by their male counterparts. Whether console games or casino games, the market is dominated by male players. Outnumbered by the opposite sex, women often find themselves the victims of sexist jokes. FatSluttyOrUgly.com is a new website to which female gamers submit the insults they encounter in the online world. The website was started just a few months ago; already, there are hundreds of entries.

Dr. Robert Hyatt, psychologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, delves into the reason why male players are abusive in the online gaming world. He believes that the anonymous nature of the internet, since players believe that they can say anything without any repercussions.

?I think it?s that anonymous aspect that makes the game servers so rowdy as they are now,? Hyatt says.

Online moderators attempt to deal with abusive behaviour, by banning any players that are seen insulting others. On online poker websites or in gaming networks like Xbox Live, games are monitored for abusive behaviour. Players can also report such behaviour and get the guilty player banned.

Unfortunately, it does not seem to be enough. The issue of bullying in the online gaming world continues to be prevalent, and experts have yet to devise a system to reduce the instances of online gaming abuse.

Related posts:

  1. Sexual Harassment is Common in the Online Gaming World
  2. Study Finds Women are at Greater Risk From Pokies
  3. Online Gaming Developer May Create Apple Console

Source: http://www.online-slots.co.nz/2012/11/10/bullying-continues-online-gaming-world/

matilda cab calloway melissa gilbert deadliest catch dwts sean hannity bobby petrino fired

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.