Reasons for Gaming Rage in Children

Published: 2022-08-24 - Updated: 2023-01-04
Author: University of Eastern Finland | Contact: uef.fi
Peer-Reviewed Publication: Yes | DOI: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212868922000393
Additional References: Accessible Games and Gaming Publications

Synopsis: The study shows that the reasons behind gamer rage in digital gaming are very complex and that children are good at naming them. Frustrating actions by other players, such as cheating or losing a game due to incompetent teammates, were perceived as a source of rage. In addition, out-of-game interruptions, such as having to do chores or homework, and technical problems, such as a poor internet connection, were also identified as sources of rage.

Main Digest

Gamer rage - Children's perspective on issues impacting losing one's temper while playing digital games.

Children's outbursts of rage while playing digital games are causing both concern and public debate around the topic. Taking a novel approach to gamer rage, a new study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland examines the topic from a child's perspective, finding complex reasons for gamer rage in children. As data, the researchers used interviews with and essays by children. The study examined children's views on gamer rage's reasons and background factors. In addition, the researchers analyzed how rage manifested itself.

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The results show that a reason for gamer rage in children was often found in their performance.

"For example, repeated or last-minute in-game failures, or losing to a beginner, caused annoyance and rage. In digital gaming, competitiveness and social factors play a major role in general," says Project Researcher Juho Kahila from the University of Eastern Finland.

Children often compared their performance to that of other players. Frustrating actions by other players, such as cheating or losing a game due to incompetent teammates, were perceived as a source of rage. In addition, out-of-game interruptions, such as having to do chores or homework, and technical problems, such as a poor internet connection, were also identified as sources of rage.

Diagram depicts background factors, reasons, and the manifestation of gamer rage - Image Credit: Henriikka Vartiainen.

Failure, Humiliation, Noise and Hunger Predispose to Rage

Some games were perceived as rage triggering. For instance, playing against a real human or getting humiliated by another player were identified as factors predisposing to gamer rage. Besides the choice of game, the gaming environment also influenced rage.

"Toxicity within the gaming community, such as unpleasant remarks or bullying by other players, as well as a noisy gaming environment, were identified as predisposing to rage. In addition, troubles in daily life, such as having a bad day at school, or feeling hungry, were also recognized as factors contributing to rage," Kahila says.

In the children's essays, gamer rage often took the form of verbal expressions, physical expressions, and quitting gaming. In an outburst of rage, children not only yelled and cursed, but they also kicked, beat, and threw items in their hands, such as their gaming equipment or pieces of furniture.

A gaming session was often quit while feeling outraged. However, the results also showed that quitting a gaming session, or switching to a less infuriating game, was often used as a preventive measure to avoid becoming even more enraged.

The study shows that the reasons behind gamer rage in digital gaming are very complex - and that children are good at naming them. According to Kahila, many reasons leading to rage in digital gaming, such as in-game failures, cheating opponents, or a toxic gaming environment, are similar in other gaming settings.

"For example, feelings of outrage caused by one's own mistakes, a penalty missed by a referee, or annoying behavior by an opponent, are all familiar from ice hockey, just to pick an example," Kahila points out.

Reference Source(s):

Reasons for Gaming Rage in Children | University of Eastern Finland (uef.fi). Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith. Content may have been edited for style, clarity or length.

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