Hate messages can be easily woven into the conversation between gamers since, contrary to stereotypes, many gamers are highly engaged in real-world issues. — 123rf
CONSIDERING Malaysia’s youthful demographic and high Internet usage, what factors might make Malaysian youth particularly susceptible to radicalisation through gaming platforms?
South-East Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) says the matter revolves around a key concern, which is the normalisation of toxicity in gaming culture.
SEARCCT research and publication division research officer Nurul Hidayah Mohd Noar tells Sunday Star that while not inherently extremist, excessive toxicity manifested through hate speech, racism and misogyny can desensitise individuals to harmful narratives.
“Hate speech, for instance, can fuel hate crimes and radicalisation, while misogyny has been recognised as an enabling condition for far-right extremism, sometimes serving as a gateway to broader extremist ideologies,” she says.
Such messages can be easily woven into the conversation between gamers since, contrary to stereotypes, many gamers are highly engaged in real-world issues.
“Gaming communities often foster strong friendships and trust, with interactions extending beyond gameplay into ‘off topic’ discussions on politics, global events, and mental health.”
For instance, Nurul Hidayah adds, some of the gamers SEARCCT has spoken to in Malaysia have encountered discussions on events such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel’s war on Gaza, and Malaysia’s 2022 General Election.
“The shaping of ideological narratives within gaming spaces occurs not only through community interactions but also via game design itself.
“Many games explore themes such as democracy, war, and social justice, which can influence players’ worldviews.
“Moreover, gaming-adjacent platforms and forums have evolved into spaces where ideologies are debated and disseminated, shaping discussions on both global and local events.”
At the same time, Nurul Hidayah says it is important for the implementation of the Malaysia National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (MyPCVE) 2024-2028 to also leverage existing moderation and reporting tools, as many players hesitate to report harmful behaviour due to a perceived lack of impact.
The MyPCVE, which was launched last year, is built on four key pillars: prevention, enforcement, rehabilitation, and reinforcement.
“The prevention pillar focuses on early intervention, including raising awareness of extremist risks in the online space.
“Digital literacy and online safety education play a crucial role in equipping individuals with the necessary tools, knowledge, and skills to safely navigate gaming environ-ments,” says Nurul Hidayah.
She points out that to develop more effective, context-specific strategies, PCVE actors must deepen their understanding of gaming environments – enga-ging with players and gaming communities provides valuable insights into platform challen-ges, subcultures, and key influ-encers, to enable more targeted and impactful interventions.
Nurul Hidayah says SEARCCT has collaborated with e-sports associations and game develo-pers to conduct initiatives such as the Partnering with Online Gaming Groups to Enhance Resilience, which aims to empower gaming communities to establish codes of conduct that promote safer and more inclusive gaming spaces.
“Today, gaming extends far beyond traditional gameplay, it includes livestreaming, video platforms, forums, and messaging apps, attracting both players and non-players alike.
“Influential figures such as streamers, shoutcasters, and e-sports professionals play a significant role in shaping gaming communities.
“Platforms like Twitch foster strong connections between streamers and audiences, making these content creators potential allies in promoting counter and alternative narratives.”
With all that said, Nurul Hidayah explains that while there has yet to be any publicly documented cases of extremist recruitment in Malaysian gaming communities, global and regional trends highlight growing concerns over the exploitation of gaming spaces.
She says SEARCCT’s research on “Exploring Perspectives on Potential Avenues for PCVE in Gaming Spaces” has expanded the discourse on PCVE strategies, particularly in the digital realm.
Previously, SEARCCT has explored various mediums, including arts, culture, and sports to promote positive values and build resilience against extremist influence.
“Effective PCVE strategies require an interdisciplinary approach to fully understand gaming environments and their complexities. Online gaming content appears in various forms, including text, images, videos, and interactive elements.
“Additionally, the formation of gaming communities is closely linked to self-perception and identity fusion, factors that influence how individuals engage with and interpret online spaces.
“A one-dimensional approach is insufficient for holistic and impactful prevention efforts. Disciplines such as media studies, communications, linguistics, and psychology offer valuable insights into narrative formation, group dynamics, and behavioural influences, all of which are crucial in developing effective PCVE initiatives in gaming spaces.”
