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How to deal with toxicity in online games

Graham Finch
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How to deal with toxicity in online games

Online gaming provides thrills, competition, and social engagement. However, it also has a downside: toxicity. In-game, many players encounter harassment, insults, and negativity.

Although dealing with toxicity can be taxing, valuable ways exist to counteract it effectively. Let’s assess how to stand up for ourselves and foster a more amazing gaming environment.

Understanding Toxic Behavior in Games

Toxic behavior in gaming is usually characterized by the use of foul language, harassment, cheating, abusive behavior, etc. Reasons for toxic behavior can arise out of frustration, competitiveness, or the feeling that there are no consequences for bad behavior.

Understand the phenomena of toxic behavior if you want to decide sooner what the best response would be. Some widely recognized types include:

  • Verbal abuse: Insulting, trash talk, and foul language.
  • Griefing: Purposely ruining the game for others.
  • Cheating: Using hacks or exploits to have an unfair advantage.
  • Harassment: Patterned bullying or continuing to target a specific player.

Ways to Deal with Toxicity in Online Games

While toxicity affects the gaming world, it does not have to ruin your experience. Here are some ways to get over toxic incidents in gaming.

1. Use Mute and Block Features

Most online games have mute and block mechanisms. If a player has become toxic, mute their chat and focus on the game. Blocking prevents them from ever contacting you again.

2. Don’t Feed the Trolls

Any reaction in the face of toxicity is likely to breed more negativity. Responding will fulfill their objective, so ignore them or provide neutral replies. Trolls thrive on reactions: don’t feed them!

3. Report Any Type of Toxicity

Game developers rely on players to report bouts of toxicity. If the aggressor is offensive or toxic, carry out in-game reporting. Over time, this builds towards community improvement by consistently reporting toxic players.

4. Play with a Positively Minded Crowd

Join gaming communities that value respect and teamwork. Playing with friends or players with similar attitudes can greatly reduce negativity and improve the gaming experience.

5. Create Boundaries and Take Breaks

If a game is becoming an aggravation, then stop playing it. Games are supposed to be fun, not a source of frustration. Taking breaks will truly help keep one’s mindset in a positive direction.

6. Cut the Toxicity with Positivity

Combat toxicity with positivity. Lift your teammates’ spirits, refrain from using toxic language, and set a good standard for others. One uplifting player can change the course of a match.

7. Use Game Filters and Community Guidelines

Many games have filters for chat and parental controls. Turn these on to limit the amount of offensive content you see. Make sure to read through the community guidelines to learn what behaviors aren’t tolerated.

Tackling online toxic games is not easy and hence requires more vigilance by players. They are advised to research and check the platform before creating an account on the website.

The Impact of Toxicity on Mental Health

Constant exposure to toxicity can affect mental well-being. It can lead to frustration, stress, and even a loss of interest in gaming.

To maintain a healthy mindset:

  • Remind yourself that toxic players don’t define your skill or worth.
  • Play in moderation and take breaks when needed.
  • Seek support from friends or gaming communities if toxicity affects your enjoyment.

Creating a More Positive Gaming Culture

Every player has a role in shaping the gaming environment. By standing against toxicity and promoting positivity, the community can improve.

Encourage respectful behavior, report violations, and support fair play. Together, gamers can make online spaces more welcoming for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Toxicity in online games is a common issue, but you can control how you respond. Mute, block, report, and focus on positivity. Surround yourself with supportive players and take breaks when needed. By promoting respect and sportsmanship, you can help create a better gaming experience for everyone.

LOCAL ELECTIONS: Green credentials of Gedling candidates to be tested at Mapperley climate hustings

Emily Sanchez
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LOCAL ELECTIONS: Green credentials of Gedling candidates to be tested at Mapperley climate hustings

Local council election candidates will give their views on rural matters, the green transition and climate change when they take to the stage in hustings to be held in Mapperley tonight.

Following two previous well attended Climate and Nature Hustings in recent years, Gedling Climate Change Group are hosting another Hustings in the run up to the County Council elections on May 1, 2025.

Do you want to know what each party has to say on the climate crisis? Have you got your own questions about the climate crisis that you need to get answered? Gedling Climate Change Group are hosting a Climate and Nature Hustings for you to do just that!

The Hustings will be a chaired event with set questions, however there will also be opportunity for you to submit your own questions and comments to the party representatives.

It will be held tonight (7) at 7pm at St James Church Centre on Marshall Hill Drive.

The group have invited all main parties and an independent to provide a representative for the hustings. 

So far attendance is confirmed by Paul Hughes representing Liberal Democrats, Jim Stuart representing the Green Party, Paul Key as an Independent, acknowledgements have been also been received from Labour and Conservatives

Organisers said Reform UK are yet to reply to their invitation. 

Please confirm your attendance to the event by clicking ‘going’ on the event page, or email gedlingccg@gmail.com.

If you can’t make it in person, it will also be streamed on Facebook. The group want as many people to be able to get involved as possible!

Knife-wielding man threatened to kill police officers and harm two children during stand-off in Daybrook

Emily Sanchez
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Knife-wielding man threatened to kill police officers and harm two children during stand-off in Daybrook

Response officers bravely disarmed a man brandishing a knife and threatening to cause harm to children inside a property in Daybrook.

Officers were called to the address just before 10pm on Monday (March 31) over concerns for a man’s welfare.

On arrival, the man, in his 20s, was in the kitchen area, threatening to cause harm to himself, the officers, and two children inside the address.

Officers tried to negotiate with the man, but he refused to drop the knife.

The man then shouted numerous threats at officers that he was “going to kill police if they don’t leave the address.”

Officers tried to calmly speak to the man, calling for him to drop the knife, while other officers rescued the children from an upstairs bedroom.

Chief Inspector Paul Hennessy, who is responsible for county response, praised officers who attended the scene

When he lunged forward with the knife, they used PAVA spray, but when that was ineffective, they had to continue to use negotiation skills to calm him down and ensure the situation didn’t escalate further.  

He finally agreed to hand over the knife and speak to police.

He was subsequently arrested for a number of offences, including threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and affray.

Safeguarding measures have also been put in place.

PC Daniel Howard, who was one of the officers who attended the scene, said: “When I arrived at the scene, I was told that the man was suffering with his mental health.

“I shouted through to the kitchen at him to ask him to come to the living room without a knife in his hands to which he refused.

“He was very verbally aggressive and threatened to kill myself and my colleague.

“Due to these threats, I drew my PAVA spray and told him that he needed to leave the knife on the table and walk towards police.

“He refused, so he was sprayed. However, this wasn’t very effective.

“He continued to threaten to stab police officers and himself for roughly 15 more minutes until he agreed to come out of the kitchen and be arrested without force being used.”

Chief Inspector Paul Hennessy, responsible for county response, said: “This was a volatile standoff with a man brandishing a knife at police and threatening to harm children at the address.

“His agitated and unpredictable state and willingness to brandish weapons showed clear risk where serious harm could happen at any time. I believe had officers not attended when they did so, serious harm would have been likely.

“This is the type of work our response officers do every day to keep the public safe and I think if it wasn’t for the incredible bravery and actions of the officers involved, we could be looking at a very different outcome today.”

Women across borough being encouraged to take part in police survey to identify local areas where they feel unsafe

Emily Sanchez
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Women across borough being encouraged to take part in police survey to identify local areas where they feel unsafe

Women across Gedling borough are being urged by police to fill out an online survey to identify problem areas where they feel unsafe so improvements can be made.

The survey is part of Nottinghamshire Police’s ‘Walk in My Shoes’ campaign that was launched on Monday (March 31).

More than 500 women and girls have already filled out our online survey.

Officers want to hear from as many women and girls as possible across the city and county about the areas they avoid and why and how they can be made safer.

The police will then work with local partners including councils to look at ways these areas can be improved where possible.  

This could include additional patrols, better lighting or CCTV coverage.

The simple online survey only takes a few minutes to fill out and will be used to make a real difference in your local area.

More than 70 percent of women and girls who completed the survey said they had experienced unwanted behaviour by men in the last year.

More than 80 percent said they had changed their running or walking route in the last year due to safety concerns.

One of the main issues identified has been harassment and staring, which has made them feel uncomfortable.

Police said there would be an in-depth look at all the locations identified once the survey ends, which is running for the next eight weeks.

Superintendent Heather Maelor, one of the leads for tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) at Nottinghamshire Police’s Prevention Hub said: “I would like to thank the public and the media for sharing our online survey and taking the time to fill it out.

“We would really encourage more women and girls to spend the time filling out our survey so we can paint a comprehensive picture of the areas where they feel unsafe so we can tackle the problems raised.

“It is vitally important that women and girls feel safe across our city and county.

“So please, complete our survey, tell us your views, and we will act where we can, to ensure you feel safer.”

To take part in the survey click here: https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/police-forces/nottinghamshire-police/areas/campaigns/2025/walk-in-my-shoes

Five things to do in Gedling borough this weekend, Friday 28 – Sunday 30 March

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Five things to do in Gedling borough this weekend, Friday 28 – Sunday 30 March

Are you looking forward to the weekend?

This weekend there is lots on offer across the borough for film fans, taco lovers and shoppers.

Take a look at what is going on in our guide below.

Events correct at the time of going to press but could be subject to change.

Country Music Night

The Nags Head, Carlton, April 4 @thenagscarlton

Enjoy a night of your favourite country music tracks at the Nag’s Head in Carlton from 8pm until midnight.

Easter and Spring Craft Fayre

Floralands Farm Park, April 5-6 Floralands Farm Park

Meet local crafters and small business owners at their stalls and find some great unique gifts, food, clothing, jewellery and more. Free entry to look around our craft stalls and why not explore the rest of the site too. The fayre marks the start of the Easter activities on the farm including meeting the chicks, bottle feeding the lambs and cuddles with the rabbits, plus lots of Spring and Easter gift ideas in the gift shop. Spring flowers and plants at the are available at the garden centre and tasty treats are for sale in the cafe.

FILM: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (15)

The Bonington, April 5, @TheBonington

Two-time Academy Award® winner Renée Zellweger returns to the role that established a romantic-comedy heroine for the ages, a woman whose inimitable approach to life and love redefined an entire film genre.

National Theatre Live: Dr Strangelove (12A)

The Bonington Theatre, April 5, @TheBonington

Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge, The Trip) plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove.

When a rogue U.S General triggers a nuclear attack, a surreal race takes place, seeing the Government and one eccentric scientist scramble to avert global destruction.

This explosively funny satire is led by a world-renowned creative team including Emmy Award-winner Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, Veep) and Olivier Award-winner Sean Foley (The Upstart Crow, The Play What I Wrote).

Tickets are priced at £12.50

Papplewick Pumping Station’s Artists, Makers and Fine Foods Market

Papplewick Pumping Station, April 6, Papplewick Pumping Station

Papplewick Pumping Station Artists, Makers & Fine Foods (AMFF) Market will have up to 51 traders offering curated artwork and crafts along with well a wealth of artisan food stalls and street food traders to enjoy lunch with. Always live music to enjoy alongside Aither Brewery Artisan Beer & Ale on Tap. You can also enjoy a freshly ground and brewed coffee too.

Tours of The Pumping House built in 1880 and a trip down to the underground reservoirs will be taking place on the day, both for just a small fee. Volunteers will also be showing off many steam locomotives too.

Entry to the event is free and it takes place between 11am-3pm.

Let us know if you have an event going on that you want plugging in our weekly weekend guide by emailing news@gedlingeye.co.uk

Waiting shelter to get eco-friendly revamp at Netherfield Station

Emily Sanchez
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Waiting shelter to get eco-friendly revamp at Netherfield Station

Passengers at Netherfield Station are set to benefit from a £600k investment in new waiting shelters for those using regional services.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) say the new waiting shelters will offer better protection from the elements and a more comfortable wait for customers.

The project is bringing a mix of modern stainless steel Macemain shelters and environmentally friendly timber natural shelters.

One of the stainless steel shelters was recently installed at Lowdham Station (IMAGE:EMR)
(IMAGE: EMR)

The Natural Shelters, made from high-quality Accoya wood, are not just stylish but also eco-friendly and align with EMR’s Getting There Greener strategy. 

They are 100% recyclable and feature built-in water harvesting systems at several locations, collecting rainwater to support local station adoption groups.

Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “By investing in better waiting areas, we’re making sure our stations serve customers better, providing shelter that is both practical and thoughtfully designed. We have also worked hard to make them as eco friendly as possible in line with our Getting There Greener strategy. 

“We are pleased that we could incorporate the water harvesting systems into the design so that our station adopters can continue their brilliant work in keeping the flower beds at the station looking their best.” 

NCT buses boss wants to stay ‘well away’ from significant changes to operations under new East Midlands authority

Joe Locker (LDR Reporter)
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NCT buses boss wants to stay ‘well away’ from significant changes to operations under new East Midlands authority

The boss of Nottingham City Transport (NCT) says he wants to stay “well away” from any changes in the way the bus company operates under the new East Midlands Combined County Authority.

Under some regional mayoral councils, such as in Liverpool, bus services operate under what’s known as a franchising model.

These models are used because many bus services in the UK are today run under a private operator on a-for-profit basis.

But the research charity Centre for Cities says this has “resulted in poor quality bus networks” in many regions.

Under a franchised system, powers are given back to the relevant public transport authority, which awards exclusive contracts to private operators.

Nottingham City Transport was established as an arms-length Nottingham City Council company in 1986

In this system, the council retains control of key aspects of bus services, including route setting, fares and timetables.   

In Nottingham, however, the main bus operator has avoided privatisation.

Nottingham City Transport was established as an arms-length Nottingham City Council company in 1986, and through this arrangement the authority receives a small dividend.

The company is not profit-driven, and typically aims for a margin between five and eight per cent each year, with much of this going back into services.

Its managing director, David Astill, has argued against any potential franchising arrangement under the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

NCT was named UK Bus Operator of the Year for a record-breaking sixth time in February, and is often praised for the way in which it operates its frequent and punctual services.

He said: “We hope to continue the positive relationship with [EMCCA].

“As we go through the transition into a much larger transport authority, we want to stay well away from franchising.

“We don’t think that is necessary for Nottingham.”

EMCCA will become the single public transport body for the whole region by 2026, starting with transitioning over bus functions in this year.

This means it will gain control of the transport functions that are currently held by Nottingham and Derby City Council and Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Council.

EMCCA says the transfer includes setting a clear plan for bus service improvements, concessionary fares, supported bus services, smart ticketing, passenger information provision, planning, infrastructure and more.

When asked about the potential for a franchising system, Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward (Lab), confirmed her preference is to avoid franchising – and instead seek to work with existing operators to make improvements.

Ms Ward told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “One of my firm manifesto commitments is to work with bus companies to increase services and routes.

“As the responsibility for buses moves to EMCCA in the coming months, I have asked for an assessment to be carried out of the whole network so that I have a full understanding of where problems exist and how these might be resolved.

“I have set aside some funding to do this. I should say that a full examination of franchising is not part of this, as my strong preference is to work in close partnership with our existing bus operators to maximise what can be achieved in the short term.

“This will avoid us tying ourselves to what might be a lengthy and costly process towards franchising, which in any event may not provide the best solution for this area.”

Speaker systems for wedding entertainment

Gedling Eye
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Speaker systems for wedding entertainment

Your wedding is one of the most important days in your life, so, understandably, you want to ensure everything is perfect.

Whilst many couples pay special attention to the music they want to have at their wedding, including picking a playlist of their favourite songs, quite often, they don’t consider the sound system needed to play them.

The right speaker system makes all the difference to the wedding DJ and crowd alike, offering you clear, quality audio to ensure every moment of your day is memorable. With this in mind, here is our guide to picking speaker systems for your wedding entertainment.

Why might you need to hire a system?

Whilst many venues will have their own sound systems and are happy to use them for your wedding entertainment, they may not offer you the best sound output. These speaker systems may be poor quality, unreliable and poorly maintained, while also being massively overworked. They may also be quite old, and with technological improvements being made all the time, this may mean you’re unable to access the best quality of sound possible.

Hiring a speaker system will give you access to the latest technology, along with better maintenance/insights. These systems will offer you the best sound quality possible for your special day, whether for speeches, entertainment or music.

The right speakers

When choosing the right speakers for your venue, you need to consider a couple of things:

·   Size of the venue

·   Number of guests

·   Type of entertainment

Let’s look at each of these in a little more detail.

Venue size

The venue itself matters when it comes to the speaker system you opt for. If the speaker system is too small, the sound will not travel properly, with specific areas of the venue experiencing poor sound quality, detracting from the joy of the dancefloor. If the speaker system is too large, this may also present a problem with too much size in a small place distorting the audio output (and scaring grandma).

Guests

The human body absorbs sound, so it is also important to factor in the number of people attending your wedding when it comes to your speaker system. The higher the number of guests, the larger the system you will need to compensate for this.

Entertainment styles

Live music will need a different type of speaker system than a DJ and pre-recorded music, so this should also be factored in when you are working out the right system.

With all this to consider, choosing a speaker system can be a complex business. This is why it’s always wise to hire a company that specialises in this field. They will be able to consider all of the factors involved and recommend the best speaker systems for your unique needs.

Other factors to consider

Of course, your speaker system will include more than the speakers themselves. It may include an amplifier and a source for the audio as well. If you have a DJ or are planning some speeches, it should include at least one microphone. All of this equipment needs to be compatible to produce the best results possible.

Give yourself plenty of time to find the right speakers for your wedding. You want to be confident that you have the best sound possible on the day. Your wedding day should be a special time with nothing to worry about, so don’t leave the quality of sound down to chance. Consider discussing your needs with a company that specialises in sound systems – they will be able to recommend the best options possible.

Warning to Amazon customers in Gedling borough over ‘iPhone in your basket’ scam

Emily Sanchez
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Warning to Amazon customers in Gedling borough over ‘iPhone in your basket’ scam

A warning has been issued as Amazon customers in Gedling borough continue to be targeted by phone scammers who claim that iPhones or other expensive items have been added to their shopping baskets.

The scam begins with a phone call from someone pretending to be from Amazon’s fraud department. They claim your Amazon accounts have been hacked by criminals attempting to steal an iPhone 16 costing £799, or other high-value items such as gift cards. 

Many people said the callers addressed them by their full names and they could hear the sounds of busy call centres in the background.

When the victim logs in to your account to check, as instructed, they will indeed find that iPhones or other expensive items have been added to their basket. Several people reported trying to remove these items from their baskets, but they kept reappearing. This is because the scammers have already taken over the account and can simply add these items back in each time. 

The scammer, taking advantage of the victim’s heightened state of panic, will then try to persuade them to give them access to their device to ‘to secure your Amazon account’ or transfer money if they convince you that your bank apps have also been compromised.

Shoppers are now being advised to ensure they have a two-factor authentication on their Amazon account. This means when you sign in with your details a code is sent to your phone or email to complete the log-in process. Without this, a scammer only has to guess the username and password of the victim.

5 red flags to spot this Amazon impersonation scam

Which? magazine advises consumers to be aware of these five red flags to help you steer clear of most scam callers:

  1. They seem to know lots about you 
    Callers may reel off lots of information that suggests they’re legitimate, but remember they may have already done some digging on you, or gained access to your emails and other accounts. 
  2. They create a sense of urgency and panic 
    Scammers fabricate any scenario to reel you in, including pretending your account has been compromised by hackers looking to steal popular and expensive goods such as iPhones.
  3. They want a security code 
    It’s easy for an attacker to trigger a genuine security check from Amazon if they already have your username (your phone number or email address) and password, so never share these codes over the phone (anyone asking for these is a scammer). 
  4. They want you to download an app 
    Victims told us they were asked to download remote-access apps such as AnyDesk and Zoho Assist, or payment apps such as Prezzee (a gift card app), Revolut (an e-money firm), Xoom (a PayPal service for sending money to friends and family) and Zing (an international money app by HSBC). Ignore any cold caller asking you to download apps or files until you can contact the business securely to confirm it’s genuine.  
  5. They are rude or persistent
     Some scammers become impatient when you don’t do exactly what you are told. Rudeness isn’t reserved for scammers, of course, but they are more likely that a genuine call handler to get there quickly.

Neighbourhood policing inspector for Gedling borough updates on crime fighting progress made during March and priorities for April

Emily Sanchez
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Neighbourhood policing inspector for Gedling borough updates on crime fighting progress made during March and priorities for April

Gedling neighbourhood policing team’s Inspector Heather Harding has provided an update on how they have progressed on tackling crime across the borough during and March and what the priorities will be in April.

She said: “April brings a new quarter and with that a new set of priorities that your Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will be focussing on between now and June. Through analysis of crime, consultation with partners in our Multi agency Problem Solving meeting, the PCC crime survey, and feedback from our community, we have identified the following policing priorities for the next three months.

Burglary:

Harding said: “There are currently no concerning burglary trends in Gedling; however, it is priority due to the detrimental impact it has on its victims and their quality of life.  The local NPT teams will therefore be allocating additional time to focusing on repeat offenders and hot spot areas as early as possible to ensure we maximise investigation opportunities and prosecutions, which ultimately leads to victims’ satisfaction and reassurance.  

“High visibility patrols, covert operations, pop-up beat surgeries and taking positive action against the offenders will be the main focus of the coming months.”

Shop theft:

“There has been a significant increase in shop thefts over the last few months,” the inspector said.

“This has lead to it being nominated as a priority to allow time to address this and reduce the reports.

“The NPT teams will be conducting additional patrols, proactive days of action to deter and promote awareness of the problem along with working towards Criminal Behaviour Orders for the most prolific offenders. These orders can include conditions such as banning offenders from carrying bags for life, banning them from certain stores and areas as well as positive conditions such as seeking rehabilitative treatment.

“Breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order is an arrestable offence and will see the offender put back before the Magistrates Court.”

Begging:

The inspector said: “This remains a priority to enable to team to continue with the work that they have been doing in the local area, identifying and warning prolific beggars as well as signposting them to support and considering their welfare needs as well as the impact on the community.

“There is already an operation in place with a clear escalation process in relation to dealing with beggars, but this will expand to consider cross border offending and more information sharing with partners to find a longer term solution to the problem.”

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