SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Syracuse was the center of the video game world Thursday as esports experts gathered at the Newhouse Impact Summit to discuss trends in online gaming.
Among the main focuses was trolling, a term for bullying and harassment that online gamers direct at their competitors. One of the biggest issues in esports today, trolling can be especially harmful to female gamers.
“Eight in 10 women report experiencing harassment, trolling, doxing and sexual harassment on games,” University of Delaware Professor Morgan Ellithorpe said.
Though trolling hurts women, Esports Trade Association director Megan van Petten says even perpetrators can feel its impact.
“It hurts everyone,” van Petten said. “Because it hurts your soul.”
Still, the video game industry is taking steps to stop trolling and promote inclusivity.
“There’s a lot more awareness about the damage that kind of talk does,” Syracuse University’s Joshua Foust said.
But is it possible to end trolling for good? Experts say kindness is key.
“There are people behind the screen,” van Petten said. “We have to take care of each other.”
Over 80% of teens say bullying is a problem in online gaming.
At Newhouse Impact Summit, Esports Experts Discuss Better Online Behavior
Eli Senzel: Trolling. It’s bullying and harassment that online gamers direct at their competitors. It’s also one of the biggest issues in esports today. University of Delaware Professor Morgan Ellithorpe says that trolling can be especially harmful to female gamers.
Morgan Ellithorpe: Eight in ten women report experiencing harassment, trolling, doxing, sexual harassment on games.
Senzel: Though trolling hurts women, Esports Trade Association director Megan van Petten says that even bullies can feel its impact.
Megan van Petten: Because it hurts your soul.
Senzel: Still, improvements are being made every day. Syracuse University’s Joshua Foust is optimistic about the future of esports behavior.
Joshua Foust: There’s a lot more awareness about the damage that kind of talk does.
Senzel: But how to end trolling forever? Experts like van Petten say kindness is key, and caring for others is the only way to make video games a friendlier place. Eli Senzel, NCC News.