A Christchurch Call to Act Against Misogyny in Games

The Christchurch Call Foundation, an international alliance established to combat online violent extremism, has identified misogyny as a critical driver of radicalization and mass violence. During a recent action forum at Oxford University, leadership emphasized that hatred toward women is a consistent precursor to extremist behavior, noting that gender-based violence appears in at least 40% of extremist manifestos. Data presented at the forum revealed that between 2018 and 2025, there were 32 planned mass attacks motivated by misogyny, with perpetrators showing a median age of 23. Furthermore, research indicates that between August 2018 and August 2026, there were 84 attempted or successful attacks involving gamified or video game-adjacent elements, resulting in 202 deaths and 440 injuries, with a median perpetrator age of 17.5.

The primary objective of the forum was to integrate the video game industry into broader efforts to establish safety guardrails and moderate toxic online environments. While the gaming sector is increasingly recognized as a space where misogynistic norms can foster real-world harm, industry participation remains limited; only two major game companies, Roblox and Discord, are currently members of the Christchurch Call. The forum explored potential technological solutions, such as AI-powered moderation tools designed to identify and flag problematic behavior in real-time, as well as the implementation of reward systems that incentivize inclusive community norms.

The analysis concludes that while the gaming industry has a significant role to play in mitigating these risks, effective change requires deeper collaboration between developers, policymakers, and civil society. The current landscape, characterized by a rise in polarized and aggressive political rhetoric, complicates these efforts. Ultimately, the findings suggest that the industry must move beyond passive moderation and actively address the cultural factors within its communities to prevent the normalization of misogyny and its subsequent escalation into violent extremism.