Hey, I need advice. I have been playing GTA Online and the game has been toxic every single day since I have played. In GTA Online, most of the players who have a mic will say racist and other hatred stuff about other players in the game. Some players have been me to me in the game talking about how I sucked, was annoying, and that I was a noob. The game has affected my mental health so I deleted the game. I kind of want to return to the game, but the players are toxic. Should I return to GTA?
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Hello there,
Thank you for contacting Asking Jude! In-game abuse is a common form of cyberbullying, with gamers being harassed and intimidated by other players. Often reacting in an aggressive manner can make the situation worse and put you at risk of further abuse. You should remember to challenge the behavior, not the person – so instead of accusing the person of being a ‘bully’, you should explain why their actions or words are causing distress.
Next, you can block and report the users who are bullying them at any time - remember that these options are in place to support and protect gamers from abuse. Remember that the person who is abusing you in-game is the one with the issue, not you. More importantly, it is very likely you don't even know them, so don't take anything to your heart.
Finally, a common, sometimes unconscious reaction to being bullied is to shut down and withdraw from your loved ones. We begin to distance ourselves both emotionally and physically from the very people we need support from. Depriving yourself of any sort of support or friendship certainly won’t do anything to resolve the issue. Even if you don’t want to report it, it is important that you tell somebody you trust about what you’re going through. Dealing with it alone is extremely stressful, and can be emotionally draining and taxing.
When players are immersed in a game it can feel all-consuming – in a good way! However, when an unexpected griefer is thrown into the mix, it can quickly become a very negative and overwhelming experience. Take some time out, step away from the game, and remove the cause of stress. Give yourself a chance to see things a little clearer – that way you can decide what the best plan of action is. Only return if you think you are stable and in a better state of mind to handle the game.
Below are some helpful links that go into further detail:
- https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now
- https://kidshelpline.com.au/young-adults/issues/online-gaming-bullying
- https://www.antibullyingpro.com/blog/bullying-on-online-games-advice
- https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-05-31-more-than-half-of-young-online-gamers-are-being-bullied
- https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-40092541
Hope this helps,
Srija Indukuri