One in ten female gamers admit to feeling suicidal over abuse received when indulging in online gaming.
As reported by Eurogamer, in a recent study surveyed by Sky Broadband, it is said that 10% of females that game online receive so much toxic abuse, that they have feelings of suicide. Let that just sink in for a moment.
One way or another, I think most of us can relate to using video games to escape from whatever troubles life may bring, even if it's for a mere few minutes.
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Video games can offer the best form of escapism, and a fantastic coping mechanism to help improve our mental health. In truth, I don’t know where I’d be without this form of escapism and I know that I am far from alone.
So, just imagine, you’re having a really bad day, so you plan to switch off for a few hours to play one of your favourite games online. Then for reasons I cannot understand (thankfully), you receive a tirade of abuse and harassment all because of your gender. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many female gamers and worst still, it’s nothing new.
Not only has one in ten female gamers had suicidal thoughts over abuse from online gaming, but from the 4,000 female gamers surveyed, 49% admit to being harassed when online gaming and/or streaming. Furthermore, this number rises to 75% for females aged between 18 to 24.
What’s more, 80% of female gamers say that online abuse via messages and comments is of a sexual nature and 35% of abuse is threats of violence, 40% were personally threatened with 27% worried that those threats could evolve into real-life attacks.
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Sadly, the statistics don’t end there, because 25% admitted to feeling depressed as a result of the abuse. Worst still, 25% of female gamers say that they would not report the issue, perhaps in the likelihood of no action being taken against the offenders and 31% of female gamers have lied about their gender to avoid abuse.
A portion of male gamers were also surveyed and 51% say that they have witnessed female gamers being abused online, and 66% of male gamers believe that females are more likely to be a target of abuse.
“We can't keep watching these numbers keep happening and these women keep having this experience,” Guild esports CEO Jasome Skee told Sky News. “This is all about looking after their mental health and making sure women feel that they can play and do the thing that they love and feel very inclusive of it."
It doesn't matter whether it's video games, movies, sporting events and more, we all have a right to safe spaces and no one has a right to abuse another, especially if it’s based on gender. Video games are for everyone to enjoy. So don’t be a dick.
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If you want information and support, Safe in Our World is a wonderful charity that advocates the positive impact that video games can have on our mental health.
Featured Image Credit: SonyTopics: Real Life