Beyond the Screen: How Video Game Toxicity Affects Your Life and Health

Have you ever arrived home after a long day at school and immediately decided to launch an online video game? As the game starts, you may find yourself in a lobby of toxic teammates who insult every mistake you make or decide to intentionally lose the game after being upset at the start of the match. Millions of gamers experience this scenario daily on the most popular games, either as the receiver or sender of this hate. Video game toxicity encompasses many negative behaviors, including harassment, verbal toxicity, and aggression, in the process ruining everyone’s gaming experience. To ensure a safe and inclusive player environment that minimizes this experience, we must address video game toxicity to protect players’ well-being, sparing them from its consequences on their lives and health.

Toxicity starts when players open their microphones to let out a fit of rage. Hearing such negative comments may impact mentality and team morale throughout the remainder of the game. 

A study in 2017 focused on harassment in online games stated, “Victims of verbal attacks in online games experience several negative outcomes, such as… emotional distress” (Cote, 2017; Fox & Tang, 2017). One’s self-confidence reduces when teammates or enemies repeatedly highlight their mistakes and hate them. It can be demoralizing to endure these comments, which can chip away at one’s self-esteem. 

Although one may argue that the pressure and criticism from toxicity may motivate players to play better, this is not always true. The article found that harsh criticism can toughen players; however, not all players perceive criticism this way. While some players may find motivation, others see stress and anxiety. It is significant to understand that toxicity is a key that cannot unlock the best out of all people. 

Moreover, the toxicity and stress gained from the criticism are not enjoyable to anyone. After all, why would someone want to play games that bring them stress rather than allow them to unwind?

Toxicity follows a hostile and tense atmosphere, making it difficult for players to relax and unwind while gaming. Instead of being a source of fun and recreation, playing in such environments creates miserable experiences for everyone. When players encounter toxic behavior such as insults, harassment, or unsportsmanlike conduct from others, the fun and excitement of the game can quickly diminish. Over time, the accumulated negative experiences can erode the overall enjoyment of gaming, making it a less appealing and rewarding activity and leading to players quitting the game. According to Unity (2021), as much as 43 percent of gamers who have experienced toxic behavior have quit playing that game entirely.

But for those who decide to stay and bear with the toxicity, the bad habits they develop in-game may transfer into their real lives. 

Negative emotions and experiences during gaming, such as anger, frustration, and helplessness, may linger beyond the virtual world and affect players' moods and behaviors in real life. Constant exposure to toxicity can lead to its normalization, as players start to mimic the same aggressive behavior when retaliating against an opponent’s attack, which can then persist even after the game ends. Players may begin to act unusually aggressively in their offline lives, adopting these dangerous communication patterns in their everyday speech. They might take on an aggressive and confrontational tone in their interactions, making it challenging to maintain positive relationships and resolve conflicts effectively. 

Overall, addressing video game toxicity is a matter of creating a healthy online community that uplifts and empowers one another. As we spend more time online, we must take responsibility for our actions. Let us be mindful of our words and actions that can negatively affect one's mental stability and gaming experience while also discouraging and reporting toxic behavior. Remember that behind each screen lies a real person deserving of the same respect and compassion you expect from them.