Can our gaming teenagers talk to Russia?

[Levitating]

I wasn’t really sure where to put this on Mumsnet - but couldn’t find any similar threads.

We had a vigil for Ukraine locally yesterday and on the way home I was talking to my kids about what’s going on and how it affects teenagers in Russia.

My DS, like millions of others, is a gamer and according to him, there are still many Russian gamers active. I don’t think gaming has been pulled yet, like the social media platforms.

I asked if he could talk to them / hear them and he said yes, but he usually mutes them as he can’t understand anything. I asked if he could message and he said he could, but obviously he’d need something translated, no point in posting a message in English.

I was just wondering if this could be an opportunity? Just as people are posting translated statements on Russian restaurant reviews.

What if we (Mumsnet members who know active gamers prepared to post messages) could start an information campaign to Russia via our teenagers?

???

what are you hoping to achieve.

Most young teens/gamers in Russia are well versed in using VPNs etc to allow them to do things. There are Russians in the online gaming community I'm part of and they know exactly what is going on in Ukraine (and are very critical of it).

@Hugasauras that’s good that they know - wasn’t something I’d got from reading news sources. I asked my son and he didn’t know.

@vodkaredbullgirl Dunno really! It was just an idea… if they know what’s going in Ukraine then it’s pointless I suppose.

I think the young, tech-savvy people in Russia are the most likely to be well-informed of anyone. It's the older generation who don't use the internet for their news, who rely on TV, don't know how to bypass internet restrictions, etc. who are likely to be missing out

There was a walk for peace in The Elder Scrolls Online the other day - people wore white or yellow and blue and called a truce in the player vs player area for a while. There would have been many Russian players who were aware it was happening/happened. I don't know whether any took part.

I asked if he could message and he said he could, but obviously he’d need something translated, no point in posting a message in English.

What on earth makes you think this?

@AppleNo8 because my DS seemed to think the gamers didn’t understand English. So he thought a statement translated into Russian would be better. He’s not a Russian speaker either. What’s the problem with that?

Honestly…

They are all well aware on COD according to my ds.

Plenty of Rissian people on there but what's making you think (assume) it's teenagers? Online gaming is a full mix of ages op

Because I’m an old fart Mum and I have no idea about gaming basically

I was thinking op was maybe thinking it was for the angle of 'no we (the west) don't hate you, the average Russian person, it's the unstable dictator people are rallying against'?

[quote Levitating]@AppleNo8 because my DS seemed to think the gamers didn’t understand English. So he thought a statement translated into Russian would be better. He’s not a Russian speaker either. What’s the problem with that?

Honestly…[/quote]
Ok well most of them do speak English. My son used to be a gamer and have spoken to Russians for years. It just sounded a bit strange thing to assume, that’s all.

Anyway - seems that this is a pointless exercise as they know what’s going on. I’ll go back to spending my Sunday trying to help in other ways I think.

@MichelleScarn I thought it was more to let Russians know what is exactly happening in Ukraine, as their news outlets are very economical with the truth

@MichelleScarn - that’s exactly what I was thinking

@Levitating - I really can't understand why you are getting snark within a few replies.. like so many others are doing (by leaving restaurant reviews etc) you are suggesting ways to get information to people in Russia about the truth of what is going on. Any initiative to try and inform the reality of his "special military operation".

@Levitating here is one way to help. I read on another thread someone had booked wine- and walking tours through air bnb.

Ok well most of them do speak English. My son used to be a gamer and have spoken to Russians for years. It just sounded a bit strange thing to assume, that’s all.

I don't think that's true at all. I think the percentage of Russians who speak English is very low actually.

To be clear; the percentage of Russians who live in Russia and speak English is very low. Obviously Russians who live in English speaking countries will speak English.

@SpeckledlyHen I know!

OK so I’m a 50 year old Mum who knows nothing about gaming, but I DO know my kids have communication online with Russians and I was just thinking how we could try to make the world a tiny bit better. That’s all.

I’ll go back to helping people in Ukraine via Etsy and posting restaurant reviews in Russian, as this gaming idea seems pointless if I’m just going to get snarky questions and comments.

@NuffSaidSam perhaps in general, but not tech savvy online gamers.

@NuffSaidSam Yes - that’s what I had assumed - which I don’t see anything wrong with.

I just thought what a shame it was that DS could hear Russian voices and say nothing back, given the terrible situation. He agreed. That was what prompted my post,

[quote Levitating]@SpeckledlyHen I know!

OK so I’m a 50 year old Mum who knows nothing about gaming, but I DO know my kids have communication online with Russians and I was just thinking how we could try to make the world a tiny bit better. That’s all.

I’ll go back to helping people in Ukraine via Etsy and posting restaurant reviews in Russian, as this gaming idea seems pointless if I’m just going to get snarky questions and comments.[/quote]
@Levitating - I too am a 50 year old mum (well 52) with absolutely no knowledge of gaming! I wouldn't have a clue.. I think your suggestion was a good one, but, hey, what do we know eh?

That gave me and my children the biggest laugh today. Thank you.

@Hugasauras

Most young teens/gamers in Russia are well versed in using VPNs etc to allow them to do things. There are Russians in the online gaming community I'm part of and they know exactly what is going on in Ukraine (and are very critical of it).

Yep. I mean the language barrier is the same as it always has been, he could translate something but at the same time perhaps they are gaming as its their safe space and their escape; do they really need someone preaching, judging or telling them stuff they already know? Personally I think playing as usual is the best thing to do.