PETALING JAYA: They may not have reached our shores yet, but the “cyber-radicals” are lurking nearby, especially with the growing geopolitical tensions worldwide.
The South-East Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) said it is monitoring the online gaming spaces here for extremist activities as they are already happening in the South-East Asia region, but they tend to fly under the radar.
According to the counter-terrorism agency, such interactions in games often go unnoticed because they usually occur within private servers but pointed to cases in Singapore, such as a 16-year-old who had joined multiple IS-themed servers on an online game platform.
This followed the arrest of a 15-year-old, who was also radicalised on an online gaming communication platform.
Most recently, on Feb 10, an 18-year-old student in the republic was detained after he started role-playing as a terrorist in an online game.
“These cases reflect a broader global challenge, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and collaboration.
“In many cases, extremist activities in gaming spaces occur within private servers, where interactions are less visible,” said SEARCCT research and publication division research officer Nurul Hidayah Mohd Noar.
She explained that extremist elements across various ideological spectrums have sought to exploit these private digital spaces for recruitment, communication and radicalisation.
“This occurs through game modifications, gamification strategies and in-game interactions.
“Our research also identifies certain challenges, particularly the fact that extremists often build insular communities, reinforcing negative identities by stigmatising those with differing views,” she said.
Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid added that many young gamers are drawn to multiplayer games where they can form social groups, which can become fertile grounds for extremist infiltration.
Hence, beyond legislation and the responsibility of parents and guardians in guiding their children’s digital experiences, a whole-of-society approach is essential to ensure gaming spaces remain secure, inclusive and resilient, said Nurul Hidayah.
At the same time, safety-by-design principles should be embedded in game development, integrating features and narratives that discourage extremist influences while promoting positive online interactions.
“Rather than relying solely on regulations, a balanced approach combining industry standards, community-driven initiatives and proactive engagement is essential.
“Proactive moderation and preventive intervention play a key role in fostering safer gaming spaces.
“By identifying potential risks early and mitigating harmful content before it spreads, stakeholders including game developers, policymakers and online communities can work collaboratively to safeguard gaming environments,” said the SEARCCT researcher.
She added that gaming companies, in particular, can do a lot to help detect and prevent the spread of extremist ideologies within games.
“Transparent reporting is a key aspect of responsible content moderation. They are crucial for platforms handling massive amounts of user-generated content, as they help assess the effectiveness of moderation efforts and promote responsible user engagement.
Meanwhile, Haezreena also mooted training gamers to help monitor for any suspicious or potentially extremist-related activity so they can report any such incidents to the gaming companies.
Despite the need for continued vigilance against extremist activities in gaming spaces, Nurul Hidayah said it is important to recognise that video games and online gaming platforms have become an integral part of global culture, offering numerous benefits from fostering creativity to enhancing problem-solving skills and creating global connections.
