Abstract

As the technology is getting more and more advanced in the modern days, gaming communities play a crucial role for youths when it comes to socializing through various social media platforms. This conference paper dives into how gaming communities in Discord foster engagements for youths by allowing them to have a chance to have a space where different individuals from different backgrounds come together to interact with others in the community. As most people are familiar, Discord has its specialises as it allows the customization of servers, voice channels and even moderation tools to enable them to create something creative and interactive and the most important being safe, Where it  brings youths together to support one another for their social and emotional growth. In addition, the youths who take on leadership roles within the Discord servers could learn very valuable skills. Furthermore, Youths get to engage in conversing with many unique people, from different ages, different backgrounds and more.

1. Introduction:

 The title of this conference paper is how does gaming communities in Discord foster engagements for youths as it is related to online communities and social media stream. The rapid increase of digital communication has changed how young people connect and interact with each other. Gaming communities were introduced as places where people come together on virtual platforms to share their experiences and interact with each other on multiplayer video games (Fiveable, n.d.). Amongst these, a chat platform named “Discord” was released in May 2015 and has become one of the most popular platforms to be used as a foundation for gaming communities. It began as a platform for gamers looking for peers to play with, but it quickly became a flexible platform for anyone with any interest imaginable. While many people may think that Discord is a poor mode of fostering engagement for youth, many others see Discord as a form of social infrastructure for youths and as a help to develop various social skills.

2. Shared interest and identity.

One of the main drivers of engagement is the sense of shared interest and identity. Discord platforms normally revolve around a specific genre or game, which ensures that all members have at least one common point of interest. This shared interest often leads to lively discussions. For youths who may lack this sort of connection in their offline environment, this becomes a crucial source of belonging (Prochnow and The Conversation, 2023).

Furthermore, bonding over shared interests often helps people to unwind. For example, Seref (2023) suggests that having a conversation with other peers often is as important as playing. Another study by O’Connor, Longman, White, et al. (2015) suggested that social identities are formed by gaming communities and how being a part of a community is impacted by their social identity to a degree. In addition to these points,

A study by Eklund and Roman (2017) demonstrated that youths commonly tend to dabble in gaming, which enables them to have shared interests and foster engagement between peers. Moreover, their research seemed to contradict previous findings that suggested that the reduction of social circles was caused by increased time spent on gaming. The collaborative aspect of gaming communities enables you to feel a feeling of belonging. Forming teams or joining guilds allows you to develop relationships based on common experiences. These ties can develop into long-term friendships that extend beyond gaming sessions. Shared accomplishments and struggles generate memories that enhance these connections. (Hakia, 2017). These shared interests help youths find like-minded friends, allowing for identity reinforcement and continuous social interaction and fostering engagements with peers.

3. Social Infrastructure for youths

Gaming communities built upon Discord serve as a modern form of social infrastructure. 

It is usually viewed as a place youths could connect, form identities, and build supportive networks. These digital environments act as a safe haven for youths who want to share their experiences and interests and foster engagement on a shared interest.

Research suggests that gaming communities foster social capital also known as the network and relationships that provide individuals access to support and resources. A study by Kim, Jeong, Lee et al. (2022) suggests that forming social networks in gaming communities is positively correlated to higher self-esteem and life satisfaction among adolescents, as most individuals within the community share a common interest and goal. Furthermore, Discord not only acts as a gaming community but also as a virtual support group, as stated in an article by The Straits Times (2023). Which described people turning to Discord for mental health peer support. In the article, it is heavily stated that anonymity and safety were the main appeal. These communities provide critical emotional support and peer understanding, especially for those youth who may not feel heard in traditional spaces.

These insights demonstrate that Discord isn’t merely used for gaming but also acts as an essential digital social infrastructure for the youth.

4. Sense of belonging

The feeling that we have met our emotional urge to fit in because we are recognized and accepted as a group is defined as a sense of belonging (Wilson, n.d.). The lack of real-life repercussions enables youths to experiment and express many identities with less fear of criticism from others. (Marino et al., 2020). Which in turn increases the frequency of social interactions. Furthermore, in a study by Cole and Griffiths (2007) It was found that having online friendships was equivalent to having friendships online. This sense of belonging often helps support youth who feel isolated and marginalized throughout their lives. A study by Wan and Nordmann (2023) which purely focused on an individual’s sense of belonging in online communities. In said study, an individual’s sense of belonging in online gaming communities was often viewed as “multifaceted,” as some people may have different forms of perceived sense of belonging but mainly revolve around how individuals usually form friendships with like-minded others, often feeling more genuine and contributing to a feeling of great connectedness.

Furthermore, an experiment was conducted by Collier and Justin O. (2023). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between feelings of belonging and engagement on Discord. Results suggest that behavioral engagement is the single most significant factor in a Discord server, exceeding membership length, purpose (academic, extracurricular, close friends, and others), and interaction. In another study by Saldanha, da Silva, and Ferreira, (2023) Their findings show that most participants say that their identity in the community does not conflict with their personal identity. The community, in fact, provides them with plenty of memories and experiences that were perceived as positive towards them.

These findings suggest that an individual’s personal identity isn’t influenced by their sense of belonging and community but instead provides them with experiences and memories of engagement with others that share their interest.

5. Development of Valuable Skills

Young people who participate in Discord gaming groups may unintentionally acquire transferable skills for real-world situations. Playing cooperative games and managing a community helps improve skills like time management, leadership, communication, and strategic thinking. The learning process is natural and efficient since these abilities are developed in an environment that is both entertaining and pertinent to their interests. (Thinker Blog, 2024).  Not only that participating within gaming communities can help people push themselves to think critically and analyze situations, this helps boost their critical thinking. 

Furthermore, the inclusion of leadership roles within a Discord server helps provide youths with experience and engagement in managing and leading a platform. In the majority of Discord servers, the moderation team is usually not segregated by age. Which allows youths to learn from older individuals who are experienced in moderation who understand the stakes of leadership and team building better (Yoon, Zhang and Seering, 2025).

Participation in these groups also enhances technical skills. Users themselves run and moderate a large number of servers, providing chances to learn server administration, basic coding, and even bot programming. Additionally, young people who constantly interact with technology become accustomed to a variety of software and platforms, improving their digital literacy and equipping them for a world that is becoming more and more reliant on technology.

6. Diversity and Inclusion : The understanding of others

A community which welcomes people from different backgrounds, ethnicities often fosters a rich and unique sense of belonging for youths. Hakia (2017) claims that because inclusive communities draw from a larger range of experiences and ideas, they are frequently more inventive and creative. This can show up in the way tales are told, strategies are established, or material is created together in gaming communities. Young individuals learn the importance of cooperation and teamwork from both people who are similar to them and people who have different views. This develops leadership abilities, emotional intelligence, and flexibility, all of which are highly valued in practical situations. 

Furthermore, young people’s mental and emotional health can be significantly improved by inclusive digital networks, specifically for those who might feel excluded in their offline settings. Online platforms provide a means for many young people, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, or belonging to a minority ethnic group, to explore and confirm their identities in ways that may not be practical in their local communities. People can connect with people who have similar experiences or ideals using Discord, which can lessen feelings of loneliness and promote a sense of belonging (Craig et al., 2021). Inclusive settings also offer safe havens where young people may participate in significant interactions free from concern of discrimination or exclusion. These areas promote mutual respect and shared learning, which then foster emotional resilience and personal development. 

In this manner, Diversity and inclusion allows for people to understand one another through viewing the differences in their backgrounds, it also allows people from different senses of identity to create a community that fosters safety and understanding. These communities validate the unique experiences of each individual which allows for them to feel recognised and valued.

7. Conclusion

In conclusion, Discord has developed into more than just a platform for gaming, but rather a social infrastructure for youths to develop and hone various and valuable skills. Discord’s capacity to fit many interests and backgrounds separates it; it offers inclusive spaces where young people feel secure to engage, learn, and grow.  Besides that, through online platforms and such an amazing community, it has shown that every youth who joins any community will definitely find the right one as they find the feeling of belonging as they don’t have to be afraid of being judged from others as it is also an opportunity  for their growth. In addition, it gives a chance for youths to learn various cultures from various people with different backgrounds as we all know that the three race groups in Malaysia are Malay, Chinese and Indians. However, it also allows for youths to understand various groups such as LGBTQ+ as it is not common in some countries such as Malaysia. 

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