In the chapter, Mirror Images: Avatar Aesthetics and Self-representation in Digital Games (de Castell), the notion of social accountability is addressed in very clear terms. Indeed, one of the main points made in the chapter is that because gaming and virtual environments have been created by those wishing to gain wealth, these virtual environments have been created and propagated without any social safeguards or boundaries. The article gives examples from some well known games that put the focus on attaining status or leveling-up rather than teaching or encouraging social etiquette or justice. This may be true, but what gave me pause was the examples using social networking sites and the resulting tragedies of suicide that occurred and were unintentionally promoted and reproduced too many times over.
The point was that, though much attention was paid to those cases and situations, no call for accountability or regulation was made to those social networking sites. The public was strangely silent. A good point.
Being a parent in the 21st century requires work, as it always has. However, after reading this article, I am reminded once again of the need to regulate the exposure of my children to these environments that were built for "profits not for people" (p.222). According to the chapter, what is needed is some accountability and intelligent design (p. 220) which encourages engagement in virtual activism, and development of guiding principals or virtual "morals" that will foster responsible online citizens in these "real-virtual" worlds.
I agree whole-heartedly with this perspective. I think we have fallen behind in the advance of the machine and need to engage in the development of the virtual world(s). My only request, after reading this article, is to ask what some strategies might be for me, as a parent, to get involved and help foster those changes?
References:
de Castell, Suzanne (2014). Mirror Images: Avatar Aesthetics and Self-Representation in Digital Games. In M. Ratto & M. Boler (Eds.), DIY Citizenship.(211-222) Massachusett: MIT Press. Retrieved from Amazon.com.