Gaming the Dynamics of Online Harassment

Online harassment communities are like Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) that aim to ruin people's lives, and social networks must work to minimize their impact or acknowledge their profit from promoting abuse.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 13 November 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Online harassment communities, often likened to Alternate Reality Games (ARGs), serve as a concerning phenomenon where the collective objective is to inflict harm upon individuals. By framing these communities as ARGs, we gain valuable insights into potential strategies for mitigating their impact in the future. One approach lies in providing individuals with enhanced tools and resources to enhance their online safety and protection. This includes educating users about online risks, promoting responsible digital behavior, and developing robust privacy and security measures.

Moreover, the comparison between online harassment communities and ARGs sheds light on the complicity of social networks in fostering these toxic environments. These platforms utilize their designs and features to facilitate the growth and proliferation of harassment communities. Social networks must acknowledge their role in this problem and take proactive steps to address it. This may involve implementing stricter policies and algorithms to detect and prevent harassment, promoting greater accountability and transparency, and investing in resources to support victims and survivors.

It is crucial for social networks to recognize that they have a responsibility to prioritize the well-being and safety of their users. By acknowledging the harmful effects of online harassment communities and taking concrete steps to address them, social networks can contribute to creating a more inclusive and respectful online environment for all.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030604127
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020