[SEAN-CSO Webinar] The Battlegrounds: Online Games & Extremism

The global gaming industry is a titan of entertainment, connecting billions of players in vibrant, dynamic virtual worlds. These platforms are celebrated for fostering community, developing strategic thinking, and providing a powerful sense of belonging. However, a darker side lurks within these digital realms. Increasingly, online games are becoming fertile ground for the spread of hate speech, extremist ideologies, and radicalisation.

To address this urgent issue, the Southeast Asian Network of Civil Society Organisations (SEAN-CSO) is proud to announce its second webinar: “The Battlegrounds: Online Games & Extremism.“ This vital online event, scheduled for Friday, 8 August 2025, will bring together leading experts to examine how gaming environments are being exploited and explore measures to safeguard these communities.

This webinar is essential for parents, educators, gamers, policymakers, and members of civil society who want to understand and counter the growing threat of online extremism.

The Gamification of Hate: More Than Just “Trash Talk & Hate”

For many, toxicity in gaming is dismissed as mere “trash talk” – an unfortunate but accepted part of the competitive culture. However, the problem often runs much deeper. Extremist groups have become adept at co-opting the very mechanics that make games so engaging, a process known as gamification.

The primary objective of this webinar is to help participants understand the concept of gamification and its potential for misuse. Extremist recruiters weaponise game-like elements to draw individuals into their fold. This can include:

• Reward Systems: Spreading hateful memes or propaganda might be framed as “missions,” with users earning points, badges, or climbing a leaderboard within a private Discord server or forum.
• Narrative Building: Extremist narratives are woven into game lore or community discussions, portraying their ideology as a heroic struggle against a perceived enemy.
• Achievement Unlocked: Acts of online harassment, doxing, or brigading against targeted individuals or groups are celebrated as “achievements,” giving perpetrators a sense of accomplishment and status within the hate group.

By understanding how these tactics work, we can become better at identifying and disrupting them before they cause irreparable harm.

The Psychology of the Digital Battleground

Why are gaming spaces so susceptible to these influences? The webinar’s second objective delves into the complex psychological and social dynamics that make gamers, particularly the young and impressionable, vulnerable to radicalisation. Our expert speakers will explore several key factors:

• Identity and Belonging: Gaming offers a powerful sense of identity and belonging. For individuals feeling isolated or marginalised in their offline lives, a gaming clan or community can provide an instant sense of purpose and belonging. Extremist groups exploit this fundamental human need by offering a strong, unified, and “elite” identity, making recruits feel special and part of a powerful in-group.
• In-Group/Out-Group Dynamics: The competitive nature of many games naturally fosters an “us versus them” mentality. Extremists amplify this dynamic, transforming friendly rivalry into genuine hostility. The “out-group” is no longer just the opposing team in a match; it becomes anyone who doesn’t conform to the extremist ideology, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and ethnic or religious minorities.
• Echo Chambers and Normalisation: Private servers and encrypted chat apps create insulated environments where hateful ideas can be shared without challenge. In these echo chambers, extremist language and conspiracy theories are repeated until they become normalised, desensitising members and gradually shifting their worldview.

Meet the Experts

To navigate this complex topic, the SEAN-CSO has invited two distinguished speakers with extensive experience in countering violent extremism (CVE) and deradicalisation.

• Noor Huda Ismail (RuangObrol, Indonesia): A leading expert on deradicalisation and the founder of the Institute for International Peace Building, Noorhuda Ismail brings unparalleled insight into the motivations and methods of extremist groups in Southeast Asia. His firsthand experience provides a crucial understanding of how radical ideologies take root and how they can be effectively countered at the community level.
• Emma Allen (Hedayah): Representing Hedayah, the International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, Emma Allen offers a global perspective on PVE/CVE strategies. Her work focuses on research and program implementation to prevent radicalisation across various platforms. Emma will shed light on international best practices and the broader trends of extremist exploitation of online technologies.
• Lindawati Sumpena, Learning & Product Development Manager from PeaceGeneration Indonesia, will moderate our discussion.

Join the Conversation: Who Should Attend?

This webinar is designed for a broad audience because the issue of extremism in gaming affects us all.

• Parents and Guardians will gain crucial tools to understand their children’s online world and spot warning signs.
• Scholars and Educators will learn how to integrate digital literacy and safety into their teaching practices.
• Youth, Gamers and Community Managers will discover how to foster more inclusive and safe gaming environments.
• Policymakers and Law Enforcement will receive insights to inform strategies for tackling online hate.
• Civil Society Organisations in Southeast Asia will find new avenues for collaboration in preventing violent extremism.

Don’t miss this opportunity to understand one of the most pressing challenges of our digital age. Join us to learn how to keep our virtual worlds safe and reclaim gaming as a positive force for connection and community.

Event Details:

• Event: SEAN-CSO 2nd Webinar: “The Battlegrounds: Online Games & Extremism”
• Date: Friday, 8 August 2025
• Time: 15:00 Jakarta Time (WIB) | 16:00 Manila/Kuala Lumpur Time | 18:00 Melbourne Time
• Speakers: Noor Huda Ismail and Emma Allen (Hedayah)
• Moderator: Lindawati Sumpena (PeaceGeneration)
• Registration: Free of charge.

Secure your spot today as spaces are limited!

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