On Anti-Cyberbullying Day, Orange is implementing Safe Zones in popular online games Fornite, Minecraft and Roblox. A fun way to educate players and provide help to victims.
Digital harassment is a real scourge that affects, in one way or another, almost all Internet users – whether they are victims, witnesses or perpetrators. As a reminder, it is an aggressive, repeated and intentional act by an individual or a group of individuals – there is often one or a few leaders and many followers – against a victim. through different digital channels. It is practiced under cover of “jokes”, of “funs”, and the executioners do not always realize the scope and the real consequences of their actions, nor of the extent that the group effect gives them. An insult may seem harmless, but when it is perpetrated by tens, hundreds, or even thousands of people, its impact is much greater.
According a study published on November 8 by the association e-Enfance in partnership with the Caisse d’Epargne, 60% of 18-25 year olds have already been victims of cyberbullying. A figure that is all the more chilling in the back that 49% of them have already thought about suicide. It can be via social networks, forums, chats, SMS, e-mails, but also online games. This is why, on the occasion of November 10, which is Anti-cyberbullying Day, the French operator Orange announces the launch of Safe Zones – security zones, in French – in Fortnite, Roblox and Minecraft, online games very popular with young people – and not so young! – and this in several countries, including of course France.
Safe Zones: areas of protection and information on cyberbullying
Cyberbullying can take many forms, such as insults, teasing, sharing photos without the consent of the victim, revenge porn, rumors, threats, disclosure of personal information, etc. The consequences can be very serious for the mental and physical health of the victim. According to the e-Enfance survey, 69% of young adults affected by this phenomenon indicated that they suffered from insomnia, appetite disorders or despair, and 51% of them also almost fell into alcohol or drug addictive behaviors. And that’s not counting anxiety disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts, which can affect even the youngest.
In an attempt to fight against cyberbullying in the event that it takes place in online games – and in this case, it can very quickly spill over into other communication channels – Orange is setting up Safe Zones on the main platforms. which are very popular with the younger generations, who spend a lot of time there. These are both protective spaces and educational spaces in which the player can win rewards that can be used on the platform through a quiz on good reflexes in the face of digital dangers, but also be put in contact with people specialized in cyberbullying if ever he is a witness or victim. So when the player enters a Safe Zone, they can immediately press the Jump to talk button, which connects them to a bot – the Orange Droid. At the end of the exchange, the player receives advice on how to react to cyberbullying and is invited to contact a support service via a QR code or a number to call.
3018: a special issue against digital violence
It is 3018, a free, anonymous and confidential national number for young victims of digital violence and their parents. The number is accessible by telephone 6 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., but also via Messenger or WhatsApp. As for the application, it allows access to practical sheets, to get in touch with professionals, to self-assess their situation using a questionnaire – this encourages the victim to ask for help – and store evidence – screenshots, photos, links, etc. – in a digital and secure safe to send them to 3018 in order to request an intervention. Indeed, the 3018 has accelerated reporting procedures to have accounts or content deleted in a few hours on the networks thanks to its partnerships with the Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports, the PHAROS platform and the 119-Childhood in danger. With the victim’s agreement, he also sends the reports and evidence to the academic harassment referents in order to ensure immediate monitoring of the situation within the school. Safe Zones have been rolling out to Fortnite since November 3 and will be coming to Roblox and Minecraft in the coming weeks.