Presentation of Research on the Impact of Video Games for Teachers
Video games are not just entertainment — they have become instruments of information warfare and tools for shaping the worldview of young people.
On October 21, the educational center “Space of Tolerance” hosted an online presentation for teachers, organized by the non-governmental organization LingvaLexa. The organization’s experts presented the study “A New Weapon of Influence: How the Kremlin Uses Video Games for War Propaganda” and discussed with teachers how to counter war propaganda.
Propaganda in games works gradually and imperceptibly — through the plot, visual aesthetics, dialogues, and gameplay. The player becomes a co-creator of the experience, where messages are reinforced emotionally and personally.
For schoolchildren, this is particularly dangerous, as games create a sense of empathy in which violence is perceived as normal. Teachers who work with children and adolescents are often the first to notice behavioral changes — increased aggression, hate speech, excessive fascination with “military” storylines, or new suspicious online acquaintances.
LingvaLexa experts emphasized that the role of educators is not to ban games, but to help children understand what stands behind the content by:
- discussing game plots during media literacy lessons;
- explaining how propaganda works and how to recognize it;
- creating an environment where children can share their impressions of games without judgment.
Video games have become a new front in the information war. Teachers can serve as the first line of defense, helping children think critically and recognize manipulation.
