The intersection between video gaming and violent extremism is a complex and multifaceted issue. Despite the limited scope and anecdotal nature of many research findings, it is clear that violent extremist groups have exploited video gaming platforms to spread their ideologies, recruit new members, and even mobilize for terrorist activities.
Overview of the Increasing Intersection between Video Gaming and (Violent) Extremism in Policy, Security, and Counter-Terrorism Circles
The intersection between video gaming and violent extremism has become a significant concern in policy, security, and counter-terrorism circles. The rise of digital gaming spaces has provided a platform for violent extremist groups to spread their ideologies, recruit new members, and even mobilize for terrorist activities.
This intersection has led to a growing body of research and policy efforts aimed at understanding these dynamics and developing strategies to counter them.
Why This Matters
The increasing intersection between video gaming and violent extremism is a critical issue due to the potential for exploitation of these spaces by extremist groups.
The widespread use of video games, with a market worth over $175 billion per year and at least 3 billion players worldwide, makes them a powerful tool for social connection and identity development, especially for adolescents and young adults.
This makes them an attractive platform for extremist groups to spread their propaganda and radicalize participants.
Current Landscape and Threats.
The current landscape of video games and violent extremism is characterized by the use of these spaces by extremist groups to spread propaganda, radicalize participants, and even mobilize for terrorist activities.
For instance, extremist groups have been known to exploit the community-building and identity development opportunities of gaming spaces to spread propaganda, radicalize participants, and even mobilize for terrorist activities. This has led to a growing need for counter-extremism measures in games.
The Role of Bespoke and Modified Games.
Bespoke and modified games play a significant role in the intersection between video gaming and violent extremism. These games are often produced by violent extremist groups and are used as effective propaganda tools to an overwhelmingly young audience.
For example, the Islamic State (IS) released its very own video game titled “Salil al-Sawarem” (The Clanging of the Swords), inspired by the popular American video game “Grand Theft Auto,” where players took on the role of IS combatants fighting in real-life conflict zones such as in Iraq and Syria.
The Infiltration and Use of Online and Collaborative Gaming Spaces.
Online and collaborative gaming spaces are often infiltrated and used by violent extremists and their supporters. For instance, a 16-year-old Singaporean youth was found to have joined IS-themed gaming platforms online, where he had interacted with other IS sympathizers.
He was a frequent user of Roblox, an open-source gaming platform that offers various first-person shooter environments. He had joined IS-themed servers on the platform at the age of 14 and had played in virtual settings that mimicked the Marawi Siege in the Philippines and various IS battle zones in Syria.
Why This Matters
The role and influence of bespoke and modified games, as well as the infiltration and use of online and collaborative gaming spaces by violent extremists and their supporters, are significant concerns in the current landscape of video gaming and violent extremism.
These activities can lead to radicalization, recruitment, and even terrorist activities among vulnerable individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to understand these dynamics and develop strategies to counter them.
Historical Trend of High-Profile Games Produced by Violent Extremist Groups.
Historically, violent extremist groups have produced high-profile games to spread their ideologies and recruit new members. For instance, in the early 2000s, the Lebanese group Hezbollah created their own video game titled “Special Force” in which the player took the role of a Hezbollah combatant fighting against the Israel Defense Forces.
Similarly, in 2006, al-Qaeda modified a first-person shooter game called “Quest for Saddam” into their own version called “Quest for Bush,” prompting players to kill soldiers who looked like U.S. President George Bush.
Current Landscape, Trends, and Threats.
The current landscape, trends, and threats in the intersection between video gaming and violent extremism are characterized by the continued use of video games as a platform for propaganda and recruitment by violent extremist groups.
For instance, IS released its own video game titled “Salil al-Sawarem” (The Clanging of the Swords), where players took on the role of IS combatants fighting in real-life conflict zones such as in Iraq and Syria. This shows the continued threat posed by violent extremist groups in the video gaming space.
Role of Video Gaming in (Violent) Extremism
The role of video gaming in violent extremism is a complex and multifaceted issue. On one hand, video games can serve as a means of social connection, identity development, and entertainment for millions of players around the world. On the other hand, they can also be exploited by violent extremist groups to spread their ideologies, recruit new members, and even mobilize for terrorist activities.
Various Functions and Potential Impact.
Video games can serve a variety of functions within the context of violent extremism. For instance, they can be used as a means of spreading propaganda, attracting supporters, and even mobilizing for terrorist activities.
For example, the Islamic State (IS) released its own video game titled “Salil al-Sawarem” (The Clanging of the Swords), where players took on the role of IS combatants fighting in real-life conflict zones such as in Iraq and Syria.
Moreover, video games can also serve as a platform for violent extremist groups to radicalize individuals. For instance, a 16-year-old Singaporean youth was found to have joined IS-themed gaming platforms online, where he had interacted with other IS sympathizers.
He had joined IS-themed servers on the platform at the age of 14 and had played in virtual settings that mimicked the Marawi Siege in the Philippines and various IS battle zones in Syria.
Challenges in Tackling Extremist Use of Gaming Platforms
Tackling the extremist use of gaming platforms is a significant challenge. For one, many of these platforms are unregulated and encrypted, making it difficult for service providers to track harmful activities and mitigate radicalization. Moreover, the attritive exposure of extremist content to children should not be underestimated.
However, there are also strategies that can be employed to counter the use of video games by violent extremist groups. For instance, increasing awareness against extremist and violent online content, increasing digital literacy and public education about violent extremist ideologies, and encouraging peer-to-peer vigilance, where members of society are encouraged to look out for signs of radicalization, remain key.
Violent Islamist Extremists
Violent Islamist extremist groups have been known to use video games as a means of spreading propaganda, attracting supporters, and recruiting new members.
For instance, the Lebanese group Hezbollah created their own video game titled “Special Force” in which the player took the role of a Hezbollah combatant fighting against the Israel Defense Forces.
Similarly, IS released its own video game titled “Salil al-Sawarem” (The Clanging of the Swords), where players took on the role of IS combatants fighting in real-life conflict zones such as in Iraq and Syria.
Violent Right-Wing Extremists.
Violent right-wing extremist groups have also been known to use video games as a means of spreading propaganda, attracting supporters, and recruiting new members.
For instance, in 2006, al-Qaeda modified a first-person shooter game called “Quest for Saddam” into their own version called “Quest for Bush,” prompting players to kill soldiers who looked like U.S. President George Bush.
Ethnonationalist Groups.
Ethnonationalist groups have also been known to use video games as a means of spreading propaganda, attracting supporters, and recruiting new members. For instance, since as early as 2002, American neo-Nazi organisations have been creating and selling their own “white power” games, and modifying existing popular games to suit their agenda.
Challenges in Tackling Extremist Use of Gaming Platforms.
Tackling the extremist use of gaming platforms is a significant challenge. For one, many of these platforms are unregulated and encrypted, making it difficult for service providers to track harmful activities and mitigate radicalization. Moreover, the attritive exposure of extremist content to children should not be underestimated.
However, there are also strategies that can be employed to counter the use of video games by violent extremist groups. For instance, increasing awareness against extremist and violent online content, increasing digital literacy and public education about violent extremist ideologies, and encouraging peer-to-peer vigilance, where members of society are encouraged to look out for signs of radicalization, remain key.
Effect of Violent Video Games on Aggression.
Research on the effect of violent video games on aggression has produced mixed results. Some studies have found a significant positive correlation between exposure to violent video games and aggression, particularly in adolescents.
For instance, a study found that exposure to violent video games is positively related to adolescent aggression, with normative beliefs about aggression acting as a mediator. This suggests that violent video games can influence adolescents’ understanding and acceptability about aggression, thereby affecting their aggression levels 1.
However, other research has questioned these findings, arguing that the evidence base was not sufficient to make conclusions about a link between video game violence and aggression in children.
A recent reanalysis of these findings found no clear link between video game violence and aggression in children, suggesting that the relationship between gaming and aggression might be a statistical artifact caused by lingering flaws in study design 3.
Analysis of the Manipulation Check and Data Suggesting that Playing Violent Video Games Increases Aggression Compared to Playing Neutral Games.
The manipulation check is a common method used in psychological research to ensure that the results of a study are not due to manipulation of the experimental conditions.
In the context of violent video games and aggression, manipulation checks can be used to assess whether the observed effects of violent video games on aggression are due to factors such as the level of aggression of the players, their gaming habits, or other confounding variables.
In terms of data, some studies have found that playing violent video games increases aggression compared to playing neutral games. For example, a study found that violent video game play significantly increases aggressive thoughts, hostile affect, and aggressive behavior 5.
However, other studies have found that the degree to which video game use increases aggression is so small as to be essentially meaningless, suggesting that violent video games account for less than one percent of the variation in aggressive behavior among U.S. teens and pre-teens.
while some research suggests that violent video games can increase aggression levels, other research disputes these findings, suggesting that the relationship between violent video games and aggression may be more complex and influenced by a variety of factors. Therefore, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of violent video games on aggression.
Challenges and Recommendations.
Addressing the extremist use of video gaming platforms presents several challenges. Firstly, these platforms are often unregulated and encrypted, making it difficult for service providers to track harmful activities and mitigate radicalization 3.
Secondly, the diverse and global nature of gamers, with the highest concentration in Asia-Pacific (over 1.5 billion), adds complexity to the issue.
Furthermore, stigmatization of gamers and gaming communities can hinder efforts to address the issue. It is crucial to avoid labeling gamers as potential extremists, which can lead to discrimination and further radicalization.
Instead, a more constructive approach is to work with the gaming community to understand their concerns, promote healthy gaming behaviors, and develop strategies to counter extremist use of gaming platforms 1.
Overview of Innovative Products Using Gaming Mechanisms in Prevention Work and the Importance of Platform Responsiveness in Content Moderation and Countering Extremist Narratives.
Innovative products using gaming mechanisms are being developed to prevent extremism. For instance, games that simulate the consequences of violent extremist ideologies can be used to educate players about the dangers of these ideologies. These games can help players understand the harmful effects of extremism and discourage them from adopting these ideologies 5.
Moreover, platforms are increasingly responsive to content moderation and countering extremist narratives. For instance, platforms like Telegram, DLive, and Odysee have implemented proactive monitoring of public spaces and user reports to remove content breaching their terms of service 6.
However, the effectiveness of these measures depends on the platform’s responsiveness to user reports and the diligence of its moderators. Therefore, it is crucial for platforms to continue improving their content moderation mechanisms and to work closely with researchers and policymakers to develop effective strategies to counter extremist use of gaming platforms 8.
Conclusion.
The intersection between gaming and violent extremism is a complex and multifaceted issue. Despite the limited scope and anecdotal nature of many research findings, it is clear that violent extremist groups have exploited video gaming platforms to spread their ideologies, recruit new members, and even mobilize for terrorist activities.
However, it is also important to note that the gaming community itself has been increasingly proactive in addressing these issues. Innovative products are being developed to prevent extremism, and platforms are becoming more responsive to content moderation and countering extremist narratives.
Despite these advancements, there is still much to be done. The exploitation of gaming and gaming-adjacent spaces by harmful and extremist actors is a significant challenge that requires more nuanced and comprehensive research.
Future research should aim to address the complexities of gaming and extremism, taking into account the diverse and global nature of gamers, the unregulated and encrypted nature of many gaming platforms, and the potential for exploitation by violent extremist groups.
In conclusion, while there are significant challenges in addressing the intersection between gaming and violent extremism, there are also opportunities for innovation and proactive measures to mitigate these risks.
As we continue to explore this intersection, it is crucial to approach the issue with a nuanced understanding of its complexities and the potential for exploitation by violent extremist groups. You should read another article i wrote about >>>> Understanding the Connection Between Violent Video Games and Hate Crimes to learn more.
