From Fortune Magazine:

AARP released data showing that 45% of Americans over the age of 50 play video games. These game creators continue to embrace multiplayer, immersive experiences as a way to increase revenue and popularity. UGC, or user-generated content, is the latest danger for kid gamers, with reports of unchecked profanity, harassment, and sexual predation in popular games.

The popular video game Silent Hill: Ascension has been the subject of numerous reports of abuse in the chat feed, with a “cesspit” of unchecked profanity and slurs being used. User-generated content, which refers to any content created by the players of the game, has become a key part of the gaming experience, despite its associated risks to users.

While parents see benefits in children playing video games, they are also concerned about the harmful effects of user-generated content. A survey of American parents who are gamers shows that over half say that today’s video games carry more risks for kids than games in the past, with 44% citing in-game UGC as one of the most harmful aspects. Over half of parents report encountering concerning and illegal examples of UGC when they play themselves, including unchecked bullying, hate speech, and predatory behavior.

Parents want better oversight of the UGC that children are exposed to when they play video games. Currently, 66% of gamer parents want to enhance discipline over the UGC seen on gaming consoles. They also cite the need for a balanced approach to benefits and risks, as well as a more nuanced approach to addressing toxic behaviors online while gaming.

The online gaming sector must address the possible effects of user-generated content on users, particularly children. The parents who decide which video games their kids play are paying attention to this threat, so we must address the growing harms of in-game UGC now. Alex Popken is the VP of trust and safety for WebPurify, a leading content moderation service.



Read more: Gen Alpha and Gen Z video gamers face a new threat that their parents didn’t: Other players