How to report bullying and hate speech in games

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There may arise a tough tone in games and sometimes the communication may go over the ‘okay’ limit. Most game developers have guidelines for what is ok with behavior. Violation of this can lead to sanctions such as the user’s account being closed for a certain period of time, or the person being kicked out of a game.

For example, the popular game Roblox has these rules and prohibitions on:

• Harassment and cyberbullying
• Discriminatory communication and actions
• Threats
• That you do something that is a direct offense

Game developers have introduced sanctions such as a short-term or longer ban from the game, the fact that you may lose digital benefits and currency that you have purchased in the game, and so on. The game owners point out that they are also cooperating with the law authorities and will be able to refer cases.

Roblox

The Roblox gaming platform has a good and current system for reporting content. You can report games on the platform, chat, and user profiles. You can report posts both from the menu and when you are inside a game.

To report:

• Chat – Tap the three dots next to the chat username. Select «report» and the appropriate category, such as bullying, harassment, discrimination.
• Users – Go to the profile page and click on «report abuse» inside the page. Here you select the category that fits and write an explanation of what has happened.
• Game – Tap into the game page, select «report abuse» under the description of the game. Then you select the game in question and write a justification for why you report the game.

Minecraft

In the popular building game Minecraft, it is possible to play in private rooms with friends and contacts you have added before. You can also play on public servers with strangers.

To report:

• Users – press the pause button and then the username. Then click on «report», write a justification and follow the instructions further.

Among Us

After the game developers who created Among Us made an account system, it is now possible to report other users on the basis of vulgar usernames, harassment, cheating, and rude chat. You cannot participate in free chat in the game without logging in with a user account.

To report:

• Users – Open the chat window and tap the boot. Then select the username and press «report.» Here you can then select the relevant category. Follow the instructions further.

Fortnite

The shooting game Fortnite also has options for reporting users to the game developer.

To report:

• Users – press the menu button and select «reporting/feedback». Then press «report a player» and choose the category that suits, such as harassment and abuse. Then select the player’s name that appears. Here you can also write a reason why you want to report them.

FIFA 21

The football game FIFA 22 has the option for playing online against others, both known and unknown. There is also an in-game reporting system, or you can contact the developer via a form on their website.

To report:

• Users – Press the pause button in a game. Select the player list and username. Tap the reporting feature. Follow the instructions further.
• Via website – follow this link.

Don’t forget

It is important to teach children and adolescents not to abuse the reporting feature in games. For example, several people go together and report a classmate who hasn’t really done anything wrong. In addition, children and adolescents can be encouraged to report hate speech that has been directed:

• Against himself
• Against friends
• Against others

Reporting a post or account is no substitute for police reports of crime. If you have been the victim of a crime, you should take screen evidence of the incident and then contact the police. It is also important to teach children to tell adults when they experience difficult events online.

Photo (main image): Shutterstock / Jennie Book

Read more about games and children’s media use here.

(Published on August 18, 2021, and Translated by Ratan Samadder)