The metaverse, the virtual realm mirroring reality, has recently come under scrutiny as British authorities investigate the first reported virtual assault.
The victim, a sixteen-year-old girl, experienced a traumatic incident after donning a VR headset and entering the metaverse, where she was targeted by adult individuals.
While the assault involved no physical actions, the psychological and emotional trauma reported by the girl underscores the potential impact of virtual incidents.
Although specifics of the case have not been revealed to safeguard the child, there has been commentary on the matter.
British politician and Army Reserve officer James Spencer Cleverly emphasized in an LBC interview that the immersive nature of the metaverse, while not reality, can evoke genuine feelings and reactions, particularly amplifying concerns when it comes to children.
Governments worldwide are increasingly focusing on addressing illicit behaviors within the metaverse, recognizing the growing influx of users, including children.
These challenges were also highlighted during the October podcast episode featuring Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, in conversation with Lex Fridman, where he discussed how these threats, coupled with privacy concerns, can exert significant psychological effects.
In response, entities are already advancing measures to protect users. For instance, the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) released guidelines in October 2023, specifically designed to protect children in the metaverse. These guidelines address issues related to advertising, privacy, and potential risks for young users.
In a similar move, China proposed integrating its social credit system with the metaverse in August 2023 to enhance safety measures.
