Welcome to Game Changers – where young people take the lead in shaping safer gaming spaces!
Game Changers is a co-design project with and for young people. The aim of Game Changers is to create innovative solutions addressing the risks of far-right extremism and online hate in gaming spaces for young people. Through a comprehensive co-design process, we’re bringing together gamers and youth to brainstorm, create and implement solutions that resonate with their experiences and needs. By amplifying gamer-led and youth-led initiatives, we aim to foster safer and more inclusive gaming communities in their local networks.
But ‘Game Changers’ is more than just addressing problems. We’re all about building positive narratives and solutions that promote belonging and sociability through gaming.
The project’s overall aim is to empower young people to become game changers in their own gaming spaces! By providing them with the tools, resources and support they need, we’re turning gamers into ‘Game Changers’ – champions of inclusivity, diversity and respect in the gaming world.
The project received grant funding from the Australian Government’s Safe and Together Community Grants Program. This support allows us to amplify our impact and reach even more young people.
If you’re passionate about creating safer gaming spaces for young people and want to contribute to our future initiatives, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and become a game changer!
Why is this project important?
It is no secret that a lot of young people spend countless hours gaming and in online gaming spaces.
Research shows that young people can gain significant benefits from gaming with regards to wellbeing, social networks, community building and soft skills, including teamwork, leadership, self-regulation and communication skills.
However, gaming also comes with risks for young people. In gaming spaces young people interact with a broad range of players, who are often anonymous. Many young people have noted their experience of bullying, abuse, hate and discrimination in online gaming spaces. Gaming spaces have also become a place where young people are exposed to a range of ideas and narratives that can be divisive, hateful and even violent, including racism, misogyny, ableism, homophobia and transphobia.
Several organisations have issued warnings, including the Extremism and Gaming Research Network (EGRN) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, which launched a report in late 2022 that found that over 80% of respondents had encountered some violent or hateful content in online gaming spaces.
Our Game Changers program aims to address the early stages of engagement with hateful or extremist narratives and ideas of young people on gaming platforms. At All Together Now we believe that the best way to prevent the risks of gaming for young people (e.g. abuse, bullying, extremism) is to highlight and strengthen the positives and to empower young voices in the gaming community who can drive change.
Our co-design project will aim to do just that, working with young people who are keen to be leaders in this space and change things for the better!
About the Project
Our project is dedicated to creating safer gaming spaces for young people aged 14-21. We’re excited to share that we’re currently in the implementation phase!
Our mission is to tackle online hate, extremism and bullying within gaming communities across the following council areas in Sydney:
- Strathfield Council
- Burwood Council
- Inner-West Council
What to Expect
- Co-Design Sessions will be in late September/October 2024 with follow-up sessions in November 2024. These sessions will empower you to shape the future of gaming spaces. Your voice matters, and together, we’ll brainstorm new ideas and strategies to combat online hate, extremism and bullying in gaming spaces.
- Real Impact: Your ideas won’t just stay on paper. We’re committed to implementing the solutions we develop in the real world, making a tangible difference in gaming communities.
- Empowerment: This is your chance to have a say in creating safer, more inclusive gaming environments. Join us and be part of a movement for positive change in the gaming industry.
Who Should Join?
If you are a young person (14 – 21 years old), an online gamer, or a teacher, youth worker, school or youth service, and you want to get involved in the program, please express your interest via the buttons below and we will keep you updated on future projects.
Discover impactful resources created by young people, for young people!
Our dedicated team of youth creators has developed practical tools to help gamers and parents navigate challenges such as discrimination, extremism and mental health in gaming spaces.
From identifying potential risks to fostering positive gaming habits, these resources are designed to empower families and promote a safe, enjoyable gaming experience for everyone.
All resources were created by young people as part of the Game Changers program. Through a co-design process, young people across 3 age groups (14-15, 16-17 and 18-21) worked together to identify issues of hate and extremism in online gaming spaces. Together, they developed innovative and actionable to address these pressing challenges.
Coming soon – stay tuned!
How to Apply
For Individual Young Gamer
If you are a young person and an online gamer interested in participating in the program, please express your interest via the button below. We’ll keep you updated on future projects.
For School, Youth Service or Community Organisation
If you’re a teacher, youth worker, or represent a school, youth service, or community organisation, we’d love to hear from you. Email us to get involved in future projects!
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