In esports, “ethics” is not a philosophy seminar. It is what happens in the moment: how people treat each other in chat, what counts as fair, how conflict is handled, and whether young people feel safe enough to participate without being mocked, pressured, or targeted.
Youth workers have a practical advantage here. You already know how to build group culture. Esports just needs the same approach adapted to a digital setting where anonymity, speed, and competition can amplify behaviour.
Go to Module 3 on the platform: portal.d-engage.eu
What ethical esports looks like in a youth setting
Ethical esports is not about banning competition. It is about designing competition so it supports youth work outcomes: respect, inclusion, safety, and healthy participation.
A “good” youth esports environment usually has three visible features:
- clear expectations (what behaviour is encouraged and what is not),
- predictable consequences (fair, consistent, not personal),
- easy reporting (young people know how to ask for help without fear of escalation).
When those are in place, you spend less time reacting and more time facilitating learning.
Fair play and sportsmanship: norms you can teach (and actually see)
Fair play in esports is not only “don’t cheat.” It is also how teams communicate, how they win, how they lose, and how they treat opponents. The useful part is that sportsmanship is observable. You can point to specific behaviours: respectful language, constructive feedback, no blaming, no harassment, and the ability to pause and reset after mistakes.
If you want to measure progress without overcomplicating it, keep it simple: pick one or two behaviours per month and make them part of your group reflection. The aim is to move from “don’t be toxic” to “here’s what good looks like.”
Cheating and match integrity: prevention and youth-friendly responses
Cheating in esports can mean many things: exploiting game bugs, using third-party tools, account sharing, smurfing, or manipulating outcomes. Young people may normalise some of this because they see it online or hear influencers talk about it.
A youth work response works best when it is:
- preventive (clear rules and reasons before play),
- restorative when possible (focus on learning and repair),
- proportionate (responses match the behaviour and the context).
If you treat every incident as a “crime,” you lose the learning opportunity. If you treat it as “no big deal,” you lose trust. The middle path is clarity plus accountability.
Toxicity and cyberbullying: a layered approach
Toxic behaviour is rarely solved by a single rule. It needs layers: norms, facilitation, and consequences. In practice, the most effective layer is often group culture because young people will follow what is rewarded.
That means you actively reward respectful leadership, constructive communication, and inclusive behaviour. You also reduce risk by designing participation thoughtfully: clear team roles, structured breaks, and moderation tools for chat/voice when needed. Most importantly, you make reporting normal and non-dramatic: “If something happens, we handle it.”
Try this: “Rulebook Remix” (20 minutes) → your Club Ethics Charter
Give the group a blank page and ask: “What do we need to make this fair and safe for everyone?” Build a short Club Ethics Charter together, with three parts:
- Our values (3–5 lines): what we want the culture to feel like
- Our rules (6–10 simple rules): specific, observable behaviours
- What happens when rules are broken: a small “sanctions ladder” (warning → time-out → session removal), plus a clear reporting route
Keep it visible, revisit it monthly, and let young people suggest improvements. When the rules are co-owned, enforcement becomes easier and more legitimate.
Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE). Neither the European Union nor FRSE can be held responsible for them.
