In recent years the exposure of inappropriate content in the metaverse has significantly increased and has raised multiple red flags in the safety of the players online.
A recent case in the UK brought up an investigation of the activities in the metaverse, a young girl under the age of sixteen was subjected to gang rape in virtual reality in which the attackers groped her character and harassed her through an online portal. The victim made a report about the situation, alerting the authorities. Some questioned the classification of this incident as an assault. However, upon conducting thorough research based on the girl's experience, it became evident that, despite the absence of physical injuries, the psychological and emotional trauma she endured was comparable to that of a physical assault. With this, police decided to open up an investigation about activities happening within the metaverse and whether it was safe for younger users.
Investigation
As the investigation continued, police found multiple cases of gang rape against other players who were often younger girls. It was a concern that the attackers were attempting to retrieve information such as location from the girls. With this, the public caused an uproar about certain companies and games allowing this behavior. Monitorization of these games have been put into place to attempt to stop the violence occurring over VR.
While VR was investigated, it was discovered that if one was often partaking in this virtual reality experience that it could become almost like “real life,” meaning the assault could feel real and may not be able distinguishable between VR and the physical world. When researchers studied this, they found that some had to be reminded that they were in VR and not real life. This concerned authorities for the mental well-being of the youth and what they were being exposed to in the metaverse.
Acknowledging the damages this could cause players, authorities are working to fight for the National Youth Mental Health Crisis to limit the amount of violent content that they are being exposed to.
Targets of Attacks
The main targets of these attacks are young or teenage girls. The predators are predominantly men, oftentimes in a group. The concern from police is the sharing of location or personal information that could lead the attacker to where they live currently so that they could physically commit the crime. Researchers have found that harassment in a game is quite common including players indulging in sexual actions that seem abusive or harmful in some way.
Cyber Laws and Restrictions
Certain new restrictions have been put into place to ensure the safety of the players in the metaverse world such as two-step verification, privacy restrictions, mandatory space bubbles, and private servers. The public is pushing for stricter laws that enforce the rules and make it illegal to participate in any sexual or abusive activity in a game. Many want the addition of stricter parental controls, private accounts, user monitors, and censored chat.
Developments in Technology
With certain technology some can wear VR suits that allows them to feel all sensations of the game which has been a common selection among attackers to feel “pleasure” when assaulting a character. Technology is expanding especially in VR which concerns many with the idea that its becoming too realistic, allowing people a free pass to commit crimes in the metaverse with no consequences.
New and higher technology is creating a gateway for online crime, making it unsafe to all viewers on the Internet.
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