Annotated Bib Final Draft

Mahir Malick

The online gaming culture has existed for quite awhile now, but has become even more
popular in recent years. With this culture, also comes its pros and cons, such as recreational
time for an individual and toxic behavior. In what ways can trash-talking in online video games
potentially escalate to cyberbullying? Cyberbullying has been a growing concern within the
online gaming community where children and youth spend a significant amount of time. The
toxic traits of the community can make it a ground for bullying behavior, but it also undermines
the positive aspects of online gaming such as socializing and building relationships.
The impact that cyberbullying has had on online gaming communities has been widely
researched and documented, with several studies showing that it can be a serious problem
which requires immediate attention. Negative effects of cyberbullying can include depression,
lower self-esteem, anxiety, and worst case scenario: suicide. We have to understand the roots
and history of cyberbullying in online gaming cultures in order to address the issue to prevent it
in the future. Collaborative efforts should be made by game developers, parents, the gamers
themselves, and others to create a safe and inclusive environment for the children and youth

Kaye, L. S., Hellsten, L. M., McIntyre, L. J., & Hendry, B. P. (2022). “There’s a fine line between
trash-talking and cyberbullying”: a qualitative exploration of youth perspectives of online gaming
culture. International Review of Sociology, 32(3), 426–442.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03906701.2022.2133407

This research paper explores the perspectives of the youth on online gaming culture,
specifically on the relationship between cyberbullying and trash-talking. The conducted study
uses a qualitative method, with data collected through focus groups and individual reviews with
youth who have experience in playing online video games. The authors found that there is a
clear distinction between cyberbullying and trash-talking, although it is accepted within the
online gaming culture. They identify it as playful banter that is part of the nature of the game,
while cyberbullying is seen as intentional harm or harassment.

The study also highlighted the importance of context in understanding the acts of online gaming
culture. The authors found that silence on the internet leads to a lack of accountability for a
person's actions, which can intensify cyberbullying. The study also revealed that the youth try to
fit into the norms of online gaming culture, even if it means to tolerate and partake in
trash-talking or cyberbullying. Overall, the study provides an insight into the perspectives of the
youth in online video games and the dynamics between trash-talking and cyberbullying. The
study's findings inform the development of policies and interventions targeting cyberbullying in
online gaming communities. This research can help the youth navigate through complex and
shady issues in a safe, well-mannered, and responsible way
Boudreau, K. (2022). Beyond deviance: toxic gaming culture and the potential for positive
change. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 39(3), 181–190.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15295036.2022.2080848

Kelly Boudreau explores the negative aspects of the toxic gaming culture within the
online gaming community. She argues toxic behaviors such as cyberbullying and online
harassment are viewed as irregular, stemming from cultural norms and social dynamics of the
community. Boudreau hypothesizes that in order to tackle this issue, necessities such as
understanding the root of the causes and working towards making a safer and more inclusive
gaming environment is required.

The author showcases multiple attempts that were targeted to improve the online
gaming experiences, such as community-led initiatives that were promoting positive behavior
and aimed efforts by game developers towards diversity and inclusivity. Boudreau emphasized
the importance that these efforts had in order to shape a productive and safe environment within
the gaming culture. The author also touched upon the significance of creating and building a
positive and inclusive environment, not just for the youth and children, but for everyone overall.

Boudreau also provided valuable insights into the negative impacts of toxic behavior and
the potential for positive change. She discusses that the importance of creating a positive
gaming environment and the root causes of toxic behavior within the online gaming community
is a crucial contribution towards the current debate revolving around the community.

Ortiz, S. M. (2019). The meanings of racist and sexist trash talk for men of color: A cultural
sociological approach to studying gaming culture. New Media & Society, 21(4), 879–894.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818814252

Stephanie M. Ortiz explores the experiences of colored men in online gaming culture
who have experienced racist and sexist remarks. She adopts a cultural and sociological
approach on studying the meaning behind trash talk and the impact it has on men of color. Ortiz
argues that trash talk can be seen as symbolic and has its practical implications for colored
men, which can also be rooted into larger cultural and social systems of oppression and
inequality.

The author took a qualitative approach to research the experiences of colored men
within online gaming communities to understand the ways they respond and handle to racist
and sexist trash talk. She found that colored men often feel disrespected and diminished within
the community, and struggle to create responses towards the trash talk that protects their
identity, dignity, and maintaining their status. Ortiz also notes that trash talk has long-lasting
effects on the individuals and their experiences within the online gaming community.

The article provides a valuable insight into the experiences of colored men in online
gaming communities along with the impact of racism and sexism from trash talking on their
experiences. Her approach to examining and studying these issues produces an idea on the
larger cultural and social systems of oppression and inequality contributing to the existence of
this behavior.

McInroy L, Mishna F. Cyberbullying on Online Gaming Platforms for Children and Youth. Child &
Adolescent Social Work Journal. 2017;34(6):597-607. doi:10.1007/s10560-017-0498-0

Lauren McInroy and Faye Mishna investigate the developing problem of cyberbullying
within online gaming communities. Both argue that online gaming platforms have become a
common place for the youth and children to encounter and experience cyberbullying, which is a
growing concern for both parents and educators. They describe it as intentional cyberbullying
and repeated harm caused towards individuals and groups through online communication.
McInroy and Mishna also highlight the unique challenges posed by these online gaming
platforms.

Through both qualitative and quantitative data, the authors explore the experiences of
children and youth victims of cyberbullying within online gaming communities. They find that this
certain type of bullying is not seen by adults and can create significant harm on the child or
individual. McInroy and Mishna also highlight that parents and educators can play an impactful
role in order to prevent and respond to cyberbullying within the community.

They conclude the article by offering a series of recommendations to address

cyberbullying in online gaming communities. Some of their suggestions include parents and
educators becoming more aware of the challenges posed by these commutes, and working
together to educate children about the dangers of cyberbullying. McInroy and Mishna also
suggest that online gaming companies should involve themselves and take more responsibility
to monitor and prevent cyberbullying on their platforms, and to provide better resources and
support for victims.

https://writingspaces.org/past-volumes/grammar-rhetoric-and-style/

Dan Melzer explores the concept of discourse communities and its impact on
communication and knowledge exchange. Melzer defines discourse communities as groups of
individuals who share a common goal, value, and norm, and communicate and exchange
knowledge through written or spoken language. He argues that understanding discourse
communities is crucial to have effective communication and knowledge exchange, since
individuals must understand the norms and expectations of a community in order to participate
effectively. He also argues that these communities play an impactful role that shapes the way
people think and communicate about certain subjects.

Melzer uses a sociolinguistic approach to analyze the characteristics of discourse

communities, such as their shared goals, vocabulary, and communicative practices. He
examines the role that power and identity pays within discourse communities and how they are
influential in how people speak and partake within these groups. Melzer concludes by talking
about the implications of his findings for researchers, professionals, and educators working
within a certain discourse community.

The article is valuable for anyone who is interested in understanding the signs and acts
of discourse communities and their impact on communication and knowledge. Melzer’s
sociolinguistic approach provides a unique perception on the role that discourse communities
have in shaping the way people speak and think about particular topics.

https://writingspaces.org/past-volumes/navigating-genres/

Kerry Dirk examines the role of genre in shaping communication and knowledge
exchange. She defines genre as a recognizable category of written and spoken communication,
such as a research paper, novel, or email, which is characterized by specific expectations and
conventions. She argues that understanding genre is essential since individuals should be able
to recognize and understand the conventions of a certain genre to participate in its discourse.

The author uses a genre analysis to approach the different ways each genre functions
and how they can shape communication and meaning. Dirk displays an overview on different
types of genres and their characteristics, such as academic genres, popular genres, and
professional genres. She explores the roles of genre in shaping audience expectations and the
ways in which genre influences the production and reception of texts, such as books and
journals.

The author concludes by discussing the significance of her findings for researchers,
educators, and professionals who want to navigate genres and communities effectively within
different contexts. The article provides valuable insights into the role of genre in shaping
communication and can be resourceful for anyone who is improving to effectively navigate
different genres. Her genre analysis approach provides a different and unique perspective on
the role of genre in shaping communication and meaning.