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Groups & Communities: Through the Lens of Online Video Gaming

Updated: Jun 4, 2023

When selecting a topic for research regarding online groups and communities, this learner chose to review online video game playing as a topic. Within online gaming there are multiple different games to select, as well as the psychological effect each individual game has on an individual. This includes variations of Halo or Call of Duty to The Sims, Farmville or Disney Kingdoms.


Physical and Psychosocial Impacts


Physical impacts of online gaming, when done on a regular basis have in fact been associated with “Computer Games Addiction” (Zamani, Chashmi and Hedayati, 2009). Many physical impacts are things such as obesity, the stimulation of anger and violence, epilepsy, social isolation, anxiety, social dysfunction, depression—especially in youth (Zamani, Chashmi and Hedavati, 2009). When assessing for psychosocial impacts on online gaming it is found that “problematic gaming” … can lead to “psychological symptoms, affectivity, coping and self-esteem” issues (Von Der Heiden, 2019).


Online gaming is considerably a “form of entertainment” for a lot of individuals (Internet Matters.Org, 2022). While there are a multitude of negative side effects of online gaming when used in excess, or as an addiction, there are a number of positive effects of online gaming for children. These benefits are things such as: (1) enhanced memory, brain speed and concentration; (2) improved multi-tasking skills; (3) career skills; (4) social benefits; (5) promotes teamwork and builds confidence; (6) physically active games provide a way to physically active, rather than stationary constantly; (7) developing of deeper emotions such as compassion; (8) learning games also provide an additional format to create time and space for thinking about different topics, and more (Internet Matters.Org, 2022). However, when used in excess online gaming can create social isolation or an attempt to escape from real life, a concern of self-identity, or even an attempt to escape from loneliness (which could be an additional benefit) (Kim & Kim, 2017).


Review of Empirical Research in Cyberpsychology on Online Gaming


One review of the research conducted to analyze the impact of online gaming was done by breaking out different types of games into categories: Complex-Social, Social-Simple, Simple-Non-Social, Non-Social-Complex (Granic et al, 2014). Cognitive performance was researched to determine if skills were gained or not through the use of video games. It was determined that the use of video games, specifically social or online games had enhanced cognitive performance—the most complex of video games, i.e., active shooter type of video games (Halo or Call of Duty) were of the highest cognitive performance compared to puzzle, solitaire, or role-playing games (Granic et al, 2014). This was just one of the studies conducted within this research paper, several studies were conducted to evaluate the (1) cognitive benefits, (2) motivational benefits, (3) emotional benefits, (4) social benefits, and (5) health and education benefits. A disadvantage to selecting this study is that while it goes fully into detail and research on all of the important benefits, it does leave out all of the drawbacks or negative side effects of video gaming or online gaming.


Evaluation of Problems, Conflicts, and Unresolved Issues


The first, and maybe even the most common problem and unresolved issue regarding online gaming, specifically with young adults and children is cyberbullying (AO Kaspersky Lab, 2022). While online gaming can be a release from every day life, everyone is essentially anonymous and the anonymity can work in the favor of those that cyberbully others. While cyberbullying can take many different forms and features, individuals can directly message someone else and say hurtful things and this can be extremely damaging to a child or teenager (AO Kaspersky Lab, 2022).


Other issues faced by online gaming include things such as: (1) privacy problems, (2) having your personal information stored on consoles, computers and other devices, (3) webcam worries (i.e., that someone could hack into your webcam and watch your every move, or spy on your children), (4) online predators, (5) hidden fees, and (6) malware (AO Kaspersky Lab, 2022). One issue this learner feels is particularly important to delve into and seek further research on is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can cause a trickle effect—say, for example, another player in the game (an online predator) either sets up the cyberbullying on purpose or notices it occurring, this person can then lure a child or individual into a conversation by showing sympathy for what was done to them. Children bullying other children on the internet and through online gaming, can lead to suicidal risks, thoughts, and attempts. It is extremely dangerous, and it appears there is a need to have some sort of online “policing”. This would also raise issues into people believing they are being monitored online, which in this instance, they would be. There should be more research conducted on how to ensure the safety of those utilizing the software or games, while still ensuring privacy of its users.


Conclusion


In conclusion, while there are many benefits to online gaming within the realm of cyberpsychology, there are also many things left to be explored. In a modern society, that is increasing the type of technology outputted each and every year, this should be a high priority of any individual to ensure that our children grow up safely. Children are the future of our society, and therefore even though we live in a modern world where there are many benefits from the type of world we live in… there are also many disadvantages and areas for opportunities.



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