I frequently play Counter-Strike with a group of about 10 to 15 people. Depending on who is available to play on that day there are usually 4/5 of us that play together. If we don't have the full five-man squad required for matchmaking, a random person queuing alone will be added to play with us. Not all eSports rely heavily on vocal communication from team mates, but CS is definitely one that does. We try to be friendly to the randoms we get matched with by saying hello at the start of the match, saying "well played" or "good job" if they win a round for us, and in general try not to be a dick to them. This courtesy is not always extended by the random(s) however.
In pretty much any eSport title, toxicity is an issue that the player base is all to used to having to deal with. If I'm met with a toxic team mate I will try to politely ask them that they not behave like twats. If that fails I will mute them, report them and carry on with the game. Likewise, if the random is friendly, I will encourage them by returning the gesture and giving them a commendation at the end of the match. Doing so has earned me a high number of commendations which I'm very proud of. But there is one type of player I've never been too sure how to deal with. I am referring to young children who play the game and are toxic.
"Why can't I just deal with them the same way as everybody else?" you may be wondering... To tell you the truth, I usually do. As do most of my friends. I don't feel like its my job to raise other peoples' children for them when they're letting them play a game online with strangers. Is it the parents' fault, or are they just ignorant? I don't feel it fair to blame the child. As if we're all completely honest, its probably toxic members of the community that have made them that way. Do you remember how impressionable you were when you were 12? If you liked something, or thought it was funny, you'd copy it or try to imitate it. These kids want to play the game their favourite content creator is playing. They join the game and experience four grown men swearing and flaming every time they mess up (which they're obviously going to do a lot). They're going to think that its an acceptable way to communicate when playing the game.
So the alternative is to try to tell them to behave and talk politely. But they're not my child. I don't have children and never want them. I'm hardly a perfect role model either. A big part of the reason I don't want children is because I don't want them to see me as a role model. I'll be polite in game and extend the same courtesy I'd like to be offered by my peers. But even though they're younger than me, in game, they are my peer from my point of view. I'm not comfortable telling off somebody's child just because of they're ignorance. At least two of my friends who I play with have children and they're not any more comfortable than I am.
The kids themselves aren't free from blame either IMO. In most cases (they are some very irresponsible parents though), I'm sure their parents wouldn't approve of how their offspring portrait themselves online. The kid is still responsible for their own actions. Though I think we, as online players, are also responsible for creating an environment where children aren't bullied by grown men. This seems like something that should go without saying really.
I'm sure many of you have experienced similar things in other games. I'm curious to know how you deal with toxic children in games. Especially if you yourself are a parent or guardian. Thanks for reading
In pretty much any eSport title, toxicity is an issue that the player base is all to used to having to deal with. If I'm met with a toxic team mate I will try to politely ask them that they not behave like twats. If that fails I will mute them, report them and carry on with the game. Likewise, if the random is friendly, I will encourage them by returning the gesture and giving them a commendation at the end of the match. Doing so has earned me a high number of commendations which I'm very proud of. But there is one type of player I've never been too sure how to deal with. I am referring to young children who play the game and are toxic.
"Why can't I just deal with them the same way as everybody else?" you may be wondering... To tell you the truth, I usually do. As do most of my friends. I don't feel like its my job to raise other peoples' children for them when they're letting them play a game online with strangers. Is it the parents' fault, or are they just ignorant? I don't feel it fair to blame the child. As if we're all completely honest, its probably toxic members of the community that have made them that way. Do you remember how impressionable you were when you were 12? If you liked something, or thought it was funny, you'd copy it or try to imitate it. These kids want to play the game their favourite content creator is playing. They join the game and experience four grown men swearing and flaming every time they mess up (which they're obviously going to do a lot). They're going to think that its an acceptable way to communicate when playing the game.
So the alternative is to try to tell them to behave and talk politely. But they're not my child. I don't have children and never want them. I'm hardly a perfect role model either. A big part of the reason I don't want children is because I don't want them to see me as a role model. I'll be polite in game and extend the same courtesy I'd like to be offered by my peers. But even though they're younger than me, in game, they are my peer from my point of view. I'm not comfortable telling off somebody's child just because of they're ignorance. At least two of my friends who I play with have children and they're not any more comfortable than I am.
The kids themselves aren't free from blame either IMO. In most cases (they are some very irresponsible parents though), I'm sure their parents wouldn't approve of how their offspring portrait themselves online. The kid is still responsible for their own actions. Though I think we, as online players, are also responsible for creating an environment where children aren't bullied by grown men. This seems like something that should go without saying really.
I'm sure many of you have experienced similar things in other games. I'm curious to know how you deal with toxic children in games. Especially if you yourself are a parent or guardian. Thanks for reading
