Perception of sexism in online video games and sociodemographic determinants of cyberviolence

Abstract

Introduction: Young people increasingly use digital spaces to socialise, often replicating sexist attitudes. Online video games remain androcentric environments that perpetuate gender-differentiated experiences, despite the fact that nearly half of the players are female. Young people's perceptions of the presence of violence in online environments play a crucial role in the development of strategies to address it. Objectives: To examine youth perception of online violence and sexism in video games, with particular focus on sociodemographic differences. Methodology: A stratified probability sample (N=1063) was employed to assess perceptions of online violence through a self-administered questionnaire, employing a quantitative approach for analysis. Results: The findings indicate that online violence is widespread among young people, influenced by sociodemographic and gender-related factors. Women report a higher perception of sexism in video games, suggesting a more critical view. In contrast, men perceive it to a lesser extent, reflecting a less critical attitude towards the digital environment. Discussion and conclusions: Online violence and perceptions of sexism in multiplayer video games predominantly affect young women. Gender differences in perception emphasise the need for educational and social interventions to increase user awareness and promote an inclusive environment. Additionally, it is imperative to regulate interaction dynamics through measures that reduce anonymity and foster mutual respect, thus preventing the normalisation of discriminatory attitudes within video games.