As shown in various studies, the toxicity of the gaming environment comes from several factors: 

• The online context: being anonymous provides a set-up for animosity and non-managed emotions; 
• The gaming environment: performance is increasingly taking precedence over fun, and video games are becoming a competitive industry, encouraging toxic and hateful behaviour among players;
• The social environment: the ability to play as part of a network creates interaction between players and their specific codes of conduct. To fit in, some people reproduce what they have seen or heard, which fuels bad behaviour on the platforms; 
• The player himself: each individual has a personality and some control over his emotions. Online video games sometimes exacerbate certain aspects of a player's personality. 

To address the issue with an impactful goal, the DILCRAH (Governmental Department for the Fight against LGBTQ+ discrimination, racism and antisemitism) invited the Awareness Centre together with the main representatives of the video game industry as well as NGOs and experts to co-create a video game code of conduct. It aims to modify characteristics and establish basic rules for gamers. The Internet Sans Crainte National Awareness Centre played an active role in all the working group's meetings by giving its expertise and insight concerning the safety of minors online and the promotion of the Internet.  

The results of this concertation were announced in April 2023 with the release of a best practice tutorial and suggestions for digital awareness campaigns by students from a famous marketing school.  We are excited about this initiative because France is a driving force in the video game industry. 

Find out more about Safer Internet Day in France. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the French Safer Internet Centre, including their awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.