Exploring Cyberbullying and Other Toxic Behavior in Team Competition Online Games (1504.02305v1)

Abstract: In this work we explore cyberbullying and other toxic behavior in team competition online games. Using a dataset of over 10 million player reports on 1.46 million toxic players along with corresponding crowdsourced decisions, we test several hypotheses drawn from theories explaining toxic behavior. Besides providing large-scale, empirical based understanding of toxic behavior, our work can be used as a basis for building systems to detect, prevent, and counter-act toxic behavior.

• The paper demonstrates that explicit requests for reporting toxic behavior significantly increase player engagement by mitigating the bystander effect.
• The study finds that discrepancies in perception, with 26% of cases pardoned, highlight subjectivity in identifying toxic acts.
• Results indicate that in-group favoritism skews reporting patterns and correlates with decreased team performance in competitive settings.

Analysis of Toxic Behavior in Online Team Competitions

The paper entitled "Exploring Cyberbullying and Other Toxic Behavior in Team Competition Online Games" offers a comprehensive examination of negative behaviors, specifically within the highly competitive field of Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games. The paper emphasizes the complex social dynamics that contribute to toxic behavior in online environments, focusing on the popular game League of Legends (LoL) as a case paper. This paper benefits from a robust dataset, comprising over 10 million player reports on toxic behaviors, which enables empirical testing of hypotheses derived from sociological and psychological theories.

Key Findings and Hypotheses

The dataset and analysis yield several significant insights into toxic behavior during online team competitions:

1. Low Engagement in Reporting: It was observed that players typically do not actively report toxic behavior unless explicitly encouraged to do so. The paper examines the influence of the bystander effect, which implies that the presence of others deters individuals from taking action. Hypothesis testing shows that explicit requests for reporting increase engagement, highlighting potential improvements for report-based control systems in gaming environments.
2. Variation in Toxic Behavior Perceptions: The research identifies discrepancies in what players perceive as toxic behavior compared to Tribunal reviewers, with a notable 26% of cases for certain categories being pardoned. This suggests a significant level of subjectivity in interpretation and identification of toxic behavior.
3. In-group Favoritism and Competition Effects: The paper establishes that in-group favoritism and out-group hostility significantly affect reporting patterns. Allies of a toxic player are less likely to report offensive behaviors that do not confer an advantage to the opposing team, demonstrating the complex interplay between group dynamics and competitive pressures in the identification and reporting of toxic behavior.
4. Cultural and Socio-political Influences: Cross-regional analyses reveal marked differences in the perception and reporting of toxic behaviors. In Korea, where cultural emphasis on group success is prevalent, behaviors directly compromising team achievement are more frequently reported and punished. In contrast, there appears to be more tolerance for cyberbullying behaviors.
5. Impact on Team Performance and Cohesion: The paper confirms that toxic behavior tends to correlate with poor team performance, evidenced by the lower winning ratios for teams labeled as having a toxic player. The implications suggest that team cohesion is adversely affected, providing a causal link between in-game behavior and competitive outcomes.

Implications and Future Considerations

This extensive examination of toxic behavior in online gaming environments provides vital insights that extend beyond interactive entertainment. As developers continue to integrate competitive elements into broader applications such as gamified systems, understanding toxicity's roots and manifestations becomes crucial for fostering healthier digital ecosystems. By recognizing regional cultural differences and psychological influences, developers can design more effective interventions and support systems that prioritize fair play and positive user interaction. Furthermore, the implications for virtual teams and collaboration across distributed networks highlight potential strategies for dealing with conflicts in professional contexts, not just gaming. Thus, this research paves the way for further investigation into designing systems that balance engagement, fairness, and community wellness across diverse digital landscapes.