Dr Nishant A.Irudayadason
Professor of Philosophy and Ethics,
Jnana-Deepa Institute of Philosophy & Theology, Pune.

Online gaming has experienced explosive growth in recent years, becoming a prominent form of entertainment and social interaction worldwide. It has evolved into a global phenomenon, offering individuals a virtual space to engage in immersive experiences and social interactions. However, this surge in popularity has brought with it a pervasive and concerning issue: toxicity in online gaming spaces. Toxicity encompasses a range of negative behaviours such as harassment, hate speech, cheating, and unsportsmanlike conduct.
Online gaming, often characterised by anonymity, can lead to the disinhibiting effect, where individuals feel less constrained by social norms and moral principles. This phenomenon can manifest in aggressive language, harassment, and hate speech. The absence of real-world consequences can lead to a sense of detachment from one’s actions, potentially amplifying the propensity for harassment and hate speech. Research has demonstrated that individuals engaging in toxic online behaviour are likely to exhibit real-life aggression (Anderson & Dill, 2000). Repetitive exposure to toxic behaviour in online gaming can desensitise players to aggression and hostility. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to violent and toxic content can lower individuals’ sensitivity to real-life violence, making them more tolerant of aggressive behaviour (Ferguson, 2015).
Competition is an inherent gaming aspect but can also be a breeding ground for toxicity. Psychological factors such as ego preservation, frustration, and the desire for dominance often fuel unsportsmanlike behaviour. A study by Gentile et al. (2014) found a significant positive correlation between the time spent playing violent video games–often rife with toxicity–and real-life aggression in youth. This longitudinal study followed participants over several years and revealed that increased exposure to violent gaming content was associated with higher levels of aggression in daily life. The link between online toxicity and real-life aggression extends to cyberbullying. Research by Kowalski et al. (2014) showed that individuals who engage in online harassment, a common form of toxicity in online gaming, are more likely to display aggressive behaviour in offline contexts. This suggests a transfer of aggressive tendencies from the virtual to the real world.
The empirical evidence linking toxicity in online gaming to real-life aggressive behaviour raises ethical concerns about the responsibility of game developers, platform operators, and the gaming community. Ensuring a safer and more respectful gaming environment becomes imperative in light of these findings. Online gaming communities have developed their own sets of norms and values. Toxicity can be seen as disrupting these norms, causing rifts within the community. Analysing the dynamics of these communities and how they either enable or counteract toxicity is crucial for fostering a healthier gaming environment. Online gaming platforms often employ reporting mechanisms for players to flag toxic behaviour. Investigating the effectiveness of these systems and understanding the sociological factors that influence player decisions to report or not is essential for improving player experiences.
Normalising toxic behaviour in online gaming communities can perpetuate societal aggression and hostility. As more individuals engage in online gaming, the potential for these behaviours to infiltrate real-life interactions becomes a pressing societal concern. Online gaming has become a reality, and we cannot run our back to it now. Hence, game developers, platform operators, and players must collaborate to foster a more inclusive, respectful, and responsible gaming culture. By doing so, we can mitigate the negative impact of toxicity on both the virtual and real worlds, ultimately ensuring that online gaming remains a positive and enjoyable experience for all while reducing its potential to contribute to real-life aggressive behaviour. Machine learning and artificial intelligence advancements have enabled more sophisticated content moderation in online gaming. Examining how these technologies can detect and mitigate toxicity in real time is vital for designing effective automated solutions. The design of online games can either foster or deter toxic behaviour. Game developers play a pivotal role in shaping player interactions. Analysing the impact of game design elements, such as matchmaking algorithms and communication tools, on toxicity levels can inform more ethical game development practices.