Sky Broadband recently undertook an extensive investigation into the experiences of women in online gaming, with the results raising critical concerns about online harassment and the safety of female players. The study included 4,000 female gamers who shared their experiences, painting a worrying picture of the current online gaming landscape.
Disturbingly, the survey found that 10% of female participants have contemplated suicide as a direct result of online abuse. Nearly half (49%) of the women admitted to experiencing harassment or abuse while playing or streaming online, a percentage that increased dramatically to 75% among the younger demographic aged 18-24.
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Most of these abusive interactions (80%) were reported to be sexual in nature, while over a third (35%) described them as violent. The persistent nature of this maltreatment has had serious consequences, with a quarter of the respondents stating that they’ve battled with feelings of depression due to the abuse.
Further underlining the gravity of the issue, 27% expressed fear that these online threats could potentially escalate into real-world violence. Personal threats were reported by 40% of participants, revealing the direct and personal nature of the harassment faced by many female gamers.
Worryingly, a significant proportion (25%) indicated they would not report the abuse, suggesting that the figures might be under representative of the true scale of the issue. An additional 31% have felt compelled to hide their gender online, indicating the lengths to which some female players go to protect themselves from attention and potential harassment.
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Male gamers’ experiences were also part of the study, with 51% acknowledging they had witnessed a female streamer being subject to online harassment. A consensus was reached among 66% of all participants, regardless of gender, that women are more likely to be targeted for online harassment in the gaming sphere.
Guild Esports CEO, Jasmine Skee, and Women in Games CEO, Marie-Claire Isaaman, have both called attention to these pressing issues. Their shared sentiment advocates for the urgent need to create a safer and more inclusive environment in online gaming.
While acknowledging the severity of these findings, it’s important to remember that they highlight an opportunity for industry change. As the gaming community grows and evolves, there is an ongoing responsibility to promote a positive and inclusive environment for all players, irrespective of their gender. This study serves as a call to action, not only to game developers and platforms, but also to the wider community, to work together to tackle and eradicate online harassment in gaming.