Gaming Risk Spectrum
This scenario-based activity considers levels of risk associated with products and in-game purchases in video/mobile games. It provides the opportunity to discuss how spending money on in-game items can be harmful, and what factors might increase or decrease the risk of experiencing harm.*
Time:
10-15min
Materials to print:
Gaming Risk Spectrum cards
Method
- Provide the group with a set of Gaming Risk Spectrum cards.
- Ask the group to put the character cards in order from what they consider the least risky scenario to the most. Emphasise that there is no right or wrong answer.
- Go through the order they have chosen, starting from the least risky, asking participants to explain their answers. Discuss what factors they considered and why they think some scenarios are riskier than others.
- Encourage discussion about the reasons young people spend money in games and with what money. Discuss at what point each of these scenarios could become harmful if they are not already.
Alternative options:
If it’s a big group, you could divide it into teams and use multiple sets of cards. You could also give 1 card to each person and then ask the group to stand up forming a line to visualise where they would place each example.
Possible Follow-Up Activity:
- Place each card around the room.
- In pairs or small groups, as the participants to write a relevant harm reduction tip on a post-it note and stick it to the card it relates to.
- Ask the group to share and discuss the tips they came up with and suggest any tips they may not have considered.
* Activity created by PHSE Association