Safer Gamers, Safer Societies
European Network Against Gaming Related Extremism
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The Horizon Europe-funded GEMS project is launching the European Network Against Gaming Related Extremism (ENgaGE). This Pan-European network brings together European Police Authorities (EPAs), the gaming industry, gamers, civil society, researchers, and academics. Together, they aim to combat extremism in the online gaming community.
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ENgaGE will serve as a collaborative platform where stakeholders from the gaming ecosystem can share knowledge, exchange experiences, and disseminate best practices.
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The goal of establishing ENgaGE is to create a network of professionals dedicated to ensuring a safer online environment, thereby empowering communities across Europe.
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ENgaGE is developed and coordinated by the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP). ELIAMEP is a leading institution in research on radicalisation and violent extremism involved in Horizon research projects and EU initiatives for addressing the problem.
Problems and Challenges
In today’s digital age, the rise of online gaming platforms has brought about unprecedented opportunities for connection and entertainment. However, it has also opened doors for extremists to exploit these spaces, spreading harmful ideologies and recruiting vulnerable individuals. Some of the current gaps include insufficient moderation, lack of robust reporting mechanisms, and inadequate awareness among users. The non-coordination among respective authorities, the different perceptions about the extremist risks and the level of threats that exist in online gaming platforms, the lack of trust between the research community and key stakeholders of the gaming world are some of the key challenges in advancing effective whole-of-society partnerships against extremism in online gaming spaces. Addressing the complex nature of extremist presence in gaming platforms necessitates a coordinated effort among various stakeholders.
GEMS is dealing with these challenges through the establishment of ENgaGE
GEMS is establishing a robust network that brings together European Police Authorities (EPAs), the gaming industry, gamers themselves, civil society, the research community and academia. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among these stakeholders, ENgaGE aims to create a unified front against extremism in online gaming. Through the collaboration of its members the network will facilitate the development of comprehensive policies and interventions that are informed by a wide range of perspectives. This collaborative approach ensures that any effort will not only be effective but also inclusive, addressing the needs and concerns of all affected parties.
What is ENgaGE offering? A Collaborative Environment and an Extensive Pool of Experts and Professionals that will work together to address key challenges in relation to the presence of extremists in the gaming ecosystem, contributing to an effective, whole-of-society approach.
The Pillars of ENgaGE
ENgaGE is structured around five main pillars, each one representing a specific category of members. Each one of these five categories of stakeholders have a unique contribution to the P/CVE and their ENgaGEment is essential for safeguarding online gaming spaces and preventing radicalisation.
The Objectives of ENgaGE
By bringing under the same roof all these stakeholders ENgaGE aims to secure a shared understanding of the phenomenon and joint commitment to action, two key parameters for a coordinated situational awareness (CSA) of the extremist risks that could exist in the gaming ecosystem.
CSA will be a significant tool in the hands of decision makers, high tech companies and stakeholders of the gaming industry, helping them make any strategy for the prevention of violent extremism in online gaming platforms more responsive to the needs of the gaming community.
ENgaGE aims to empower its network to fight against the extremist abuse of online gaming spaces by:
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generating significant knowledge through empirical research that involves the gaming community itself and the assessment of online gaming platforms.
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developing the new academic field of Sociology of Gaming and Radicalisation, contributing to scientific/theoretical advancement of the field of radicalisation and violent extremism.
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developing a training Curriculum for European Police Authorities (EPAs), increasing their capacities to understand radicalisation in the gaming ecosystem. EPAs constitute primary beneficiaries and end-users of GEMS outputs.
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developing an AI moderation tool "The Watchtower Platform", which will be capable of recognizing extremist presence in the gaming ecosystem and interrupting radicalisation and recruitment attempts in real-time.
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maximising the policy impact of the research and by translating GEMS findings into policy-based solutions. It will devise a strategy for systematic and sustained engagement with the policy community, key EU member states and Western Balkan capitals.
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increasing awareness of citizens about the extremist risks in online gaming platforms. It will implement a campaign which endeavours to create a more secure and informed gaming spaces for the general public, and especially the gaming community.
The ENgaGE network will function as a communication hub to proliferate knowledge among its members, ensuring that information reaches everyone effectively. This will facilitate cooperation among its members, fostering a collaborative environment where ideas and expertise can be shared seamlessly. ENgaGE members will have the opportunity to utilise the knowledge generated by GEMS and the developed tools in their daily work.
The Founding Members of ENgaGE
The founding members of ENgaGE are composed of two universities, one independent think tank, two high tech companies, one SME agency and four European Police Authorities. Each member of the ENgaGE Network possess extensive experience in their respective fields, each playing a specific and significant role in the project. This collective expertise is crucial for the success and sustainability of the network, as it ensures that every aspect of the project is handled with the highest level of proficiency and dedication.
The Members of ENgaGE
The creation of ENgaGE was the result of a comprehensive mapping exercise designed to identify potential members. The mapping exercise led to the development of the ENgaGE Stakeholders Database and the Gaming Stakeholders Mapping Report (link to the report available here), serving as a knowledge and referral tool, informing the development of ENgaGE. In total, the research team identified and analysed the activities of 193 stakeholders, among them 68 state institutions and authorities, 44 gaming world actors, 45 non-governmental organisations, 20 European and regional organisations and 16 academic institutions. As part of their research, the team conducted more than 50 phone consultations to actively engage with the stakeholders and better understand their work and engagement with the gaming-extremism nexus. Following the identification and assessment of each stakeholder, an evaluation process was conducted. This process led to the selection of ENgaGE members based on specific criteria, ensuring that each member was chosen for their unique contributions and alignment with ENgaGE’s goals.
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None of the aforementioned organizations receive funding from the EU in the context of their involvement with ENgaGE.
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The International Partners of ENgaGE
Through its international pillar, ENgaGE will foster cross-sectoral dialogue and knowledge exchange with international stakeholders experienced in countering online extremist presence and the protection of youth. The broader issue of online extremism, which largely overlaps with the gaming ecosystem is not an EU problem only. The gaming ecosystem is not geographically bound, and is inherently a global phenomenon, hence extremist presence in it is an issue of global concern. One significant upshot is that local measures, regardless of their effectiveness, need to be harmonised with their counterparts on the global scale.
Synergies
Another important pillar of the ENgaGE network is the creation of synergies with other projects operating in fields closely related to the GEMS project. These synergies are crucial for amplifying the overall impact of the network’s initiatives. By finding common ground with other projects, ENgaGE will implement joint activities and publication, submit collaborative applications, and share resources and expertise. This collective approach is far more effective than an isolated, atomic approach because it leverages the strengths and insights of multiple stakeholders, fostering innovation and ensuring a more comprehensive and coordinated response to the challenges at hand. Working together, we can achieve greater reach and effectiveness, ultimately creating a more resilient and inclusive online gaming environment.
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