To adults, it looks like a game. To young people, it's a society.

Modern gaming have evolved far beyond high scores and one-off sessions. Today's online gaming ecosystems have been the primary space where young people socialise, establish social status, and find belonging. Roleplaying, AI characters, and immersive worlds have created an environment where regular experiences becomes amplified.

But it comes with a cost...

When a young person's social status, identity, and peer group relies heavily on unregulated algorithmic platforms, what happens when those platforms start to harm them?

This seminar explores the complex gaming ecosystem, unpacking how these virtual worlds can foster deep engagement and a communal sense of belonging. We will explore the natures of these digital environments, as powerful spaces for youth to find belonging, while lighting up the dark alleys of the digital worlds where unregulated chat, cyberbullying, and toxic cultures poses a risk to their psychological safety.

Contact the host of RaiseWisely | Is the Social Media Ban Enough?