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On the margins of the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2025, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) held a side-event entitled, “Press Start: Understanding Harms in Online Gaming Spaces.” This side-event was organized on 17 April in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Japan and the Permanent Mission of Singapore to the United Nations.

With gaming being a central part of young people’s digital lives, the side-event provided an opportunity to deepen the understanding of online harms in video gaming and gaming adjacent spaces. The event highlighted the need for safer, more secure and supportive digital environments in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

For millions of young people, gaming is more than just a pastime - it is a force for good; a place to connect, compete, create, and find community. However, like any online space, video game platforms and gaming-adjacent platforms can also be exploited for harmful activities. Violent extremists and terrorists exploit gamification, pop culture references, and cross-platform engagement to seamlessly infiltrate gaming communities, making detection and intervention increasingly difficult. The forms of harm are diverse, ranging from harassment, grooming, the spread of propaganda, and recruitment to terrorism. 

Convening representatives from Member States, the United Nations and civil society organizations, the event explored emerging trends in online harms within gaming spaces and their impact on youth mental health and well-being, while underscoring the collective responsibility of gaming companies, policymakers, and civil society to act. Speakers will emphasize on fostering safer gaming environments, building digital resilience, and empowering youth through positive engagement must be a shared priority.