Extremists using platforms like Twitch, Discord to recruit & radicalise players: Study
Gaming has become an integral part of modern entertainment, with millions of people around the world engaging in various online gaming platforms. However, a recent study has highlighted a concerning trend where extremist groups are using these platforms to recruit and radicalize players. The study, published in Frontiers of Psychology, has found that these groups are exploiting the communication features of popular gaming platforms like Twitch and Discord to spread their ideologies and recruit new members.
The study, which analyzed data from online gaming communities, found that far-right extremism is the most commonly shared ideology among extremist groups using these platforms. The researchers, led by Dr. Jocelyn Aldrich, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley, analyzed data from over 1,000 online gaming communities and found that a significant number of them were promoting extremist ideologies.
The study’s co-author, Dr. Justin McGonigal, a researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, stated, “These platforms offer extremists direct access to large, often young and impressionable audiences.” He added, “Extremist groups are using these platforms to spread their ideologies, recruit new members, and radicalize existing ones.”
The researchers found that extremist groups were using various tactics to spread their ideologies and recruit new members. These included disseminating propaganda and hate speech, promoting violence and aggression, and using emotive appeals to recruit new members. The study also found that extremist groups were targeting specific communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, and using language that was specifically designed to be appealing to these groups.
One of the most concerning findings of the study was the ease with which extremist groups were able to spread their ideologies and recruit new members. The researchers found that extremist groups were able to use the communication features of gaming platforms to reach a wide audience quickly and easily. This was particularly concerning, as the study found that many of the players who were being recruited by extremist groups were young and impressionable.
The study’s findings have significant implications for the gaming industry and for society as a whole. The study highlights the need for gaming platforms to take action to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies and to protect their users from radicalization. The study also highlights the need for parents, educators, and policymakers to be aware of the risks of gaming and to take steps to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.
So, what can be done to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies in the gaming community? The study’s authors suggest that gaming platforms can take several steps to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies. These include:
- Implementing stricter moderation policies: Gaming platforms can implement stricter moderation policies to prevent the spread of hate speech and extremist ideologies.
- Providing resources for players: Gaming platforms can provide resources for players who are being targeted by extremist groups, such as support hotlines and counseling services.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion: Gaming platforms can promote diversity and inclusion by featuring diverse characters and storylines, and by providing a safe and welcoming environment for all players.
- Educating parents and educators: Parents and educators can educate themselves about the risks of gaming and the importance of monitoring their children’s online activities.
In conclusion, the study’s findings highlight the need for gaming platforms to take action to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies and to protect their users from radicalization. The study also highlights the need for parents, educators, and policymakers to be aware of the risks of gaming and to take steps to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.
References:
- Aldrich, J., & McGonigal, J. (2022). Extremist recruitment and radicalization in online gaming communities. Frontiers of Psychology, 13, 1-12.
