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Kathryn E. Ringland, Christine T. Wolf,
Lynn Dombrowski, Gillian R. Hayes
Department of Informatics
University of California, Irvine
MAKING “SAFE”: COMMUNITY-CENTERED PRACTICES IN A
VIRTUAL WORLD DEDICATED TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
• Customizable• Open-ended virtual
world• Unique world every
time world is created
MINECRAFT
MINECRAFT
• Accessible for young players – does not require programming skills
• Allows for socializing• Diverse range of
activities
“[the] first Minecraft server dedicated to providing a safe, fun and learning environment for children on the autism spectrum and their families”
AUTCRAFT
• Participant observations in virtual world
• Analysis of in-world chat, forum posts, Facebook page & website
METHODS
• Inappropriate content• Fear of strangers• Bullying in virtual
spaces – negative aggressive behavior
ONLINE RISKS FOR CHILDREN
No one likes to be called a name, no one likes it when
someone is mean to them, and no one likes to be bullied
ONLINE RISKS FOR CHILDREN
All of these people were telling the same stories, about how their children were
bullied on every server they tried. Even on XBox, where you can only play with people
you add as a "friend"... it was [nonstop] bullying. Either killing them all the time,
stealing their things, destroying everything [they] build.
ONLINE RISKS FOR CHILDREN
Most players come to us with tales of bullying and hate from other servers. Many of those same players experience the same thing from school and in other aspects of their life. They feel they have no friends,
no one to talk to and they are angry.
ONLINE RISKS FOR CHILDREN
We want [this server] to be a safe, happy, comfortable place for all our players to
enjoy no matter what they're afraid of or who they're talking to.
BEYOND AVOIDING RISK
• Adults who co-own the virtual world
• Full access to all virtual world software
• Ability to mute & jail users
• Ability to kick players off the server
• Ability to view all private messages sent by users
RULE ENFORCERS – ADMINISTRATORS
• Adult volunteers• Ability to mute & jail users• Ability to view all private messages sent
between users
RULE ENFORCERS – SENIOR HELPERS
“Jr. Helpers – Always helpful. Helpers are
picked because they help others and they help the
community. They also follow the rules. The [administrators] are
always watching. Don’t ask to become a helper.
We will ask you when we think you are ready.” – message to all players
RULE ENFORCERS – JUNIOR HELPERS
<(JrHelper) bb1135> matt_awesome please stop
<matt_awesome> Ok sorry
<matt_awesome> I just told about the rules
<cryptic1200> we wouldn't want autistic people to breed, obviously...
<cryptic1200> that was sarcasm
<matt_awesome> Listen to bb1
<(SrHelper) GlovedPlayer> Hey, Cryptic, that's not the point and it's a mean thing to say, even if you're joking :/
RULE ENFORCEMENT
*All user names are pseudonyms.
• Software modifications to the virtual world
• Technology-assisted rule enforcement
VIRTUAL WORLD MODIFICATIONS
• Online risks – inappropriate content, bullying
• Risks in rule enforcement – not allowing children to learn and grow through risk taking
BALANCING RISKS
…we encourage everyone to be generous, to be nice and to help as
much as you can. You don't have to give your stuff away but to just give someone a little
help if they need it. And always do your best to
remember to say "please" and "thank you".
GIFT GIVING
Another child gave [my son] gifts today and he was shocked. A little while later he said to me, ‘I didn’t really want to, but I gave some gifts away to others. It makes me
want to give things to people.’ It is a new thing for him to want to share.
GIFT GIVING
Safety is a process that is dynamic, contextual & emergent
• Minecraft is an example of an open-ended virtual world platform that allows users to customize the play to their needs
• Parents work collaboratively to create safe online environments for their children with autism to play in
• Parents work not only to avoid risks, but also make children feel cared for
TAKE-AWAYS