NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - A new type of cyberbully known as a griefer is overtaking other forms of aggression on the Internet and in the world of online gaming, a health researcher warned.
Unlike traditional Internet bullies who work through instant messages and cell phones, griefers lurk on online multi-player videogames, harassing their victim by bullying, tormenting or thwarting other players in the game.
"Griefers trap a victim and they will attack the victim through the game," Dr. Sally Black, an assistant professor in health services at Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia, said in an interview.
"There's torment, humiliation and belittling," she added.
The world of online multi-player gaming has grown increasingly popular as gamers adopt new roles and personalities in 'massive multiplayer online role-playing games,' or MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft, RuneScape and Everquest.
"I personally believe these are addictive games, because you have kids playing them for many, many hours a day, and putting their lives on hold basically to play some of these, like World of Warcraft and Warhammer," said Black.
"They have a strong violent nature and a lot of sexuality in them," she added.
Children as young as 12 are attracted to the games and play them for hours each day. Black said the long-term effects may include aggressiveness, anti-social behavior and acting out. 続く...
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