Req 2 — Living the Scout Oath and Law Online
Do the following: Note: View the Personal Safety Awareness “Digital Safety” video (with your parent or guardian’s permission.)
Note: Before starting this requirement, watch Scouting America’s Personal Safety Awareness “Digital Safety” video with your parent or guardian.
Personal Safety Awareness: Digital Safety Official Scouting America Youth Protection video covering online safety, privacy boundaries, and cyberbullying prevention. Link: Personal Safety Awareness: Digital Safety — https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/YPSAT/YT%20Mod1%20Final%20Master%20Small.mp4Being a Scout means acting with honor, courtesy, and integrity in every room you step into—including digital lobbies, voice chat channels, and competitive match queues.
Requirement 2a: Toxicity in Gaming & Scout Values
Define the term “toxicity in gaming.” Describe a real or hypothetical example of toxic behavior in online play and outline how the situation could be prevented or resolved by applying the Scout Oath and Law.
Toxicity in gaming refers to hostile, abusive, or disruptive behaviors by players in video games. This includes verbal abuse in voice chat, harassment in text chat, intentional throwing or griefing (sabotaging one’s own team), rage-quitting, or targeted exclusion.
Scenario Analysis: Resolving Online Toxicity
Scenario: During a competitive match of a team-based shooter, a player misses a critical shot, causing the team to lose a round. A teammate immediately starts yelling over voice chat, calling the player insulting names and demanding everyone report them.
Applying the Scout Law to Resolve the Scenario
- Friendly & Courteous: Instead of joining in on the yelling or staying silent while a teammate is targeted, speak up calmly: “Hey, it was just one round. We’ve got the next one, let me cover your left side.”
- Kind & Helpful: Offer constructive advice or callouts rather than blame: “Nice try, let’s group up before pushing the objective next time.”
- Obedient: Use the in-game reporting and mute tools to report abusive language per the game’s Code of Conduct without engaging in an argument.
Requirement 2a Resources
Good Game Playbook for Teens (PDF) Fair play and digital ethics guide developed by Ubisoft to help young players foster positive online communities. Link: Good Game Playbook for Teens (PDF) — https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/1wJowtd0nH3HS8gAANwF3i/0d0f9fe2d3f9ac6315e069b109aad640/Good_Game_Playbook_for_Teens_EN.pdf Game Changer Resource Guide Educational guide on identifying and responding to harassment and hate speech in online gaming spaces. Link: Game Changer Resource Guide — https://alltogethernow.org.au/our-work/far-right-extremism/game-changers-resources-guide/Requirement 2b: Strategies for Handling Negative Online Experiences
List five strategies for handling negative online gaming experiences. Describe how each strategy reflects a point of the Scout Oath or Law.
Here are five effective strategies to handle negative online interactions, paired with Scout values:
5 Strategies for Negative Online Experiences
Pairing gamer wellness with the Scout Law
- 1. Mute Abusive Voice and Text Chat Immediately: Don’t feed hostile players with attention. Reflects A Scout is Wise & Brave (choosing self-control over reaction).
- 2. Block and Report Disruptive Accounts: Use official in-game tools to keep communities safe. Reflects A Scout is Helpful (protecting other players from future abuse).
- 3. Take a 15-Minute Screen Break After a Bad Match: Step away, stretch, get water, and reset your mindset. Reflects A Scout is Clean (maintaining mental and physical health).
- 4. Play with Known Friends and Patrol Mates: Form pre-made parties with people who share your values. Reflects A Scout is Friendly (building positive social circles).
- 5. Encourage Struggling Teammates: Send a positive text or callout when a teammate makes a mistake. Reflects A Scout is Courteous and Kind (lifting others up).
Requirement 2b Resources
How To Deal With Toxic Players Practical gamer guide with step-by-step methods for muting, blocking, and maintaining tilt-free gaming. Link: How To Deal With Toxic Players — https://www.twoaveragegamers.com/how-to-deal-with-toxic-players-a-gamers-guide-to-staying-sane-online/ Bullying and Cyberbullying Childline support guide offering safety advice for young people experiencing online harassment. Link: Bullying and Cyberbullying — https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/types-bullying/bullying-cyberbullying/Requirement 2c: Understanding the ESRB Rating System
Research the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating system. Record the ratings of the video games you own and compare them to your age group. Explain to your counselor whether you agree with the ESRB descriptions.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is an independent self-regulatory body established in 1994 that assigns age and content ratings to consumer video games in North America.
ESRB Rating Categories
- EVERYONE (E): Content suitable for ages 6 and older. May contain minimal cartoon violence.
- EVERYONE 10+ (E10+): Content suitable for ages 10 and older. May contain mild violence, crude humor, or minimal blood.
- TEEN (T): Content suitable for ages 13 and older. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, or rare use of strong language.
- MATURE 17+ (M): Content suitable for ages 17 and older. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, or strong language.
| ESRB Rating | Target Age Group | Content Focus |
|---|---|---|
| EVERYONE (E) | Ages 6 and older | Minimal cartoon violence |
| EVERYONE 10+ (E10+) | Ages 10 and older | Mild violence, crude humor |
| TEEN (T) | Ages 13 and older | Moderate violence, suggestive themes |
| MATURE 17+ (M) | Ages 17 and older | Intense violence, strong language |
Recording Your Own Games
To prepare for your counselor conversation:
- Make a list of 3–5 games you play at home.
- Look up each title on esrb.org.
- Note the rating icon and the Content Descriptors (e.g., Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, In-Game Purchases).
- Write down whether you agree with the rating based on your own experience playing the game.
Requirement 2c Resources
Video Games Age Ratings Explained Internet Matters guide breaking down ESRB and PEGI age ratings and interactive content descriptors. Link: Video Games Age Ratings Explained — https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/video-games-age-ratings-explained/ Search ESRB Game Ratings Official ESRB searchable database for checking age ratings, content descriptors, and interactive elements. Link: Search ESRB Game Ratings — https://www.esrb.org/search/Requirement 2d: Building Positive Gaming Communities
List five ways to create a positive online gaming environment for yourself and others. Demonstrate one of these methods with your troop, patrol, or family.
Five Ways to Foster Positive Communities
- Establish a Team Code of Conduct: Agree before playing that sportsmanship and fun come before winning.
- Use Positive Reinforcement: Say “Good game” (GG) or compliment good plays by teammates and opponents.
- Include New or Inexperienced Players: Be patient and explain game mechanics without condescension.
- Enforce Zero-Tolerance for Harassment: Agree as a patrol to report and mute any player using slurs or abusive language.
- Host Casual Patrol Game Nights: Organize low-stakes multiplayer sessions focused on cooperative objectives rather than competitive rankings.
Demonstration Activity
Select one of the methods above (such as organizing a patrol game night with a shared Code of Conduct) and execute it with your patrol or family, then report your findings to your counselor.
Requirement 2d Resources
The Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic Gaming Communities Actionable strategies for creating friendly discord servers and positive gaming groups. Link: The Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic Gaming Communities — https://www.twoaveragegamers.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-non-toxic-gaming-communities/ What Kids Can Do Federal StopBullying.gov guide on standing up to online harassment and supporting peers. Link: What Kids Can Do — https://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/what-you-can-doNext Steps
With online safety and digital citizenship established, explore how to balance gaming with physical exercise and proper sleep.