International studies have shown that between seven and 11 per cent of gamers show some symptoms associated with addiction. [5] Some teens are heavy users of online role-playing games (RPGs) such as World of Warcraft and multiplayer games such as Call of Duty in which they interact with other players in real time.These teens will often neglect schoolwork and other aspects of their daily lives when they become immersed in these games.
-Lack of diversity: Video games predominantly feature white male characters, with limited representation of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
-Underrepresentation: Hispanic, African-American, Aboriginal, and biracial characters are significantly underrepresented in games, with startlingly low percentages.
-Stereotyped roles: Non-white characters are often portrayed as sidekicks, villains, or confined to specific genres like sports and celebrity-related games.
This matters because video games can influence how we see people from different backgrounds. When characters are mostly white or portrayed negatively, it sends the message that people from other races don’t matter as much or are only suited for certain roles. It’s important to have a variety of characters in video games so everyone feels included and respected. By choosing to not play games with bad stereotypes, we can help make a change and encourage better representation.
Learn more about Video Game Concerns
Created by Joshua Surdyka: January 2025