Extremists using platforms like Twitch, Discord to recruit & radicalise players: Study
The world of gaming has become an integral part of modern entertainment, with millions of people across the globe spending countless hours playing their favorite games and connecting with fellow gamers. However, a recent study has highlighted a concerning trend: extremist groups are using popular gaming platforms like Twitch and Discord to recruit and radicalize young players. The study, published in Frontiers of Psychology, warns that these platforms offer extremists direct access to large, often young and impressionable audiences.
The study, which analyzed data from online gaming communities, found that far-right extremism is the most commonly shared ideology among extremist groups operating on these platforms. The researchers noted that these groups use various tactics to spread their ideology, including sharing hate speech, promoting violence, and recruiting new members.
Twitch, a live streaming platform popular among gamers, and Discord, a communication platform used by gamers to chat and coordinate, have become breeding grounds for extremist groups. These platforms, which were originally designed for socializing and gaming, have inadvertently become fertile ground for extremist ideologies to take root.
The study’s co-author, Dr. Alexandra Scacco, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, stated, “These platforms offer extremists direct access to large, often young and impressionable audiences. They can use their platforms to disseminate hateful content, recruit new members, and create a sense of community among like-minded individuals.”
The researchers analyzed data from online gaming forums, social media groups, and online chat rooms, and found that extremist groups were using these platforms to spread their ideology and recruit new members. They discovered that far-right extremist groups were the most prevalent, but that other ideologies, including white supremacy, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia, were also being promoted.
The study’s findings are concerning, as they suggest that extremist groups are using gaming platforms to target young people who may be vulnerable to radicalization. The researchers noted that the anonymity of online platforms, combined with the ease of access to information, makes it easier for extremist groups to spread their ideology and recruit new members.
The study’s authors are calling for gaming platforms to take action to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies on their platforms. They suggest that platforms could implement measures such as monitoring user behavior, removing hate speech and extremist content, and promoting counter-narratives to challenge extremist ideologies.
Dr. Scacco emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, stating, “It’s crucial that we take a proactive approach to addressing the spread of extremist ideologies on gaming platforms. These platforms have the potential to be powerful tools for promoting positive social change, but they also have the potential to be hijacked by extremist groups. We need to work with platform owners and policymakers to ensure that these platforms are used in a way that promotes social cohesion and prevents the spread of hate.”
The study’s findings are a wake-up call for gaming communities, parents, and policymakers. They highlight the need for increased awareness and vigilance in identifying and addressing the spread of extremist ideologies on gaming platforms.
In conclusion, the study’s findings are a reminder that online platforms, including gaming platforms, can be vulnerable to exploitation by extremist groups. It is essential that we take a proactive approach to addressing this issue and work together to prevent the spread of hate and promote social cohesion.
