The virtual worlds of online gaming often serve as a safe space for socially anxious individuals to retreat from real-life social interactions. However, this can often mask or even deepen the challenges faced by these individuals. Recent studies have shed light on the complex relationship between gaming and social anxiety, suggesting a unique dynamic that both comforts and confines.
Research by Marino et al. (2020) highlights that people experiencing social anxiety may gravitate towards online games as these platforms provide an alternative to distressing face-to-face interactions. These individuals often prefer the control and safety of online environments, giving them the agency to manage their online social interactions more comfortably (Marino et al., 2020). The digital environment provides a temporary sense of safety, but it can also intensify feelings of isolation and anxiety if not balanced with real-life interactions.
Gioia, Colella, & Boursier (2022) have also explored this phenomenon, noting that online gaming interactions are perceived as safer than real-world interactions by those with social anxiety, which leads to a preference for online socialization over face-to-face interactions. “Online videogames might offer other alternative virtual environments where highly socially anxious individuals transfer most of their social activities, alleviate their stressful life event-related negative feelings, and feel safer and more comfortable than in face-to-face socialization” (Gioia, Colella, & Boursier, 2022, p. 1). This kind of behavior may predispose individuals to problematic online gaming, which may interfere with their wellbeing and daily life (Gioia, Colella, & Boursier, 2022, p. 1).
I see a challenging cycle: social anxiety drives individuals towards online games as a form of escape, which, while initially soothing, can worsen their social confidence due to a lack of real-world interaction. My project aims to try to break this cycle by nudging people towards an intermediary space, a safe and structured environment where gamers can gradually bridge their online confidence into offline social settings.
References
Marino, C., et al. (2020). ‘Exploring the relationship between online gaming and social anxiety.’ Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 9, 617-618.
Gioia, F., Colella, D., & Boursier, V. (2022). ‘The impact of social anxiety on online gaming behaviors.’ Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 1.