This article examines discourses about mixed reality as a data-rich sensing technology – specifically, engaging with discourses of time as framed by developers, engineers and in corporate PR and marketing in a range of public facing materials. We focus on four main settings in which mixed reality is imagined to be used, and in which time was a dominant discursive theme – the development of mixed reality by big tech companies, the use of mixed reality for defence, mixed reality as (...) a technology for control of populations in civil society and mixed reality as a technology used in workplace settings. Across these settings, the broad narrative is that mixed reality technologies afford overwhelmingly positive benefits like efficiency and security through their capture, relay and rendition of data – affording a form of anticipatory power to the user. The framing of temporality, we argue, is underlain by social and political values, which represent certain interests, but leave others out in the imagination of mixed reality's technological advance. (shrink)

This paper examines how digital technologies might be used to improve ethical attitudes towards nonhuman animals, by exploring the case study of nonhuman apes kept in modern zoos. The paper describes and employs a socio-ethical framework for undermining anti-ape prejudice advanced by philosopher Edouard Machery which draws on classic anti-racism strategies from the social sciences. We also discuss how digital technologies might be designed and deployed to enable and enhance rather than impede the three anti-prejudice strategies of contact and interaction, (...) enlightenment, and individualization. In doing so, the paper illuminates the broad potential and limitations of digital technology to both harm and benefit animals via its effects on human ethical attitudes. This examination provides guidance for future projects and empirical work on using digital technologies to promote moral respect for a range of nonhuman animals in different settings. (shrink)

This chapter explores the multifaceted impacts of social Virtual Reality (VR) on children, focusing on physiological, psychological and social harms. It highlights how the immersive nature of VR exacerbates concerns about children’s digital media use, particularly when children are still developing important cognitive, social and physical skills. The chapter reviews research on the physiological effects of VR on children's vision and balance, discusses psychological concerns including the potential for addiction and the difficulty in distinguishing VR from reality and delves into (...) social harms such as targeted harassment and exposure to mature content. The chapter emphasises the need for robust age-appropriate design, supervision and content moderation to protect young users in VR environments. It also addresses the broader implications of children's presence in social VR spaces for adult users, emphasising the need for community norms that support a safe and inclusive environment for all ages. Taken together, this overview adds to calls against the further expansion of children’s use of VR without further research and safeguards. (shrink)

This chapter investigates the evolving landscape of regulatory measures for social VR platforms, emphasising the need for government intervention to ensure that these environments are safe, trustworthy and equitable. It discusses a variety of regulatory approaches, from soft law proposals to best practice principles and industry codes of conduct, highlighting the collaborative efforts of civil society groups, government and industry stakeholders. The chapter examines global regulatory discussions, including online safety laws, data regulation and the protection of children in VR, and (...) critiques existing self-governance initiatives. By advocating for proactive regulatory and governance interventions, this chapter highlights the necessity of placing obligations on platforms to prevent harms and protect the public interest as VR technologies continue to evolve. (shrink)

This chapter addresses the imperative of designing social VR environments with safety, privacy and inclusivity at the forefront. It explores principles and best practices proposed by industry stakeholders for creating responsible XR systems. The chapter delves into the privacy concerns posed by biometric and spatial data collection in VR, emphasising the need for continuous consent and informed user choices. It critiques the gendered and ableist biases in current VR design, highlighting the risks of motion sickness and accessibility barriers, and advocates (...) for prioritising accessibility in VR development; the representation of disabilities in avatars; and the importance of including disabled individuals in the design process. Finally, it discusses safety considerations for children, including age-gating and parental controls. The overarching theme is the ethical responsibility of VR developers to create environments that are safe, private and welcoming to all users. (shrink)

This chapter reviews the spectrum of moderation techniques currently deployed across social VR platforms to tackle user conduct and content issues, distinguishing between reactive and proactive strategies. It evaluates common reactive safety features like in-app reporting, vote kicking, blocking and user monitoring, noting their limitations and the burden they place on victims. The chapter also explores proactive measures, including personal boundaries, voice controls and community norms, aimed at preventing harassment and abuse. It underscores the challenges of balancing user safety with (...) engagement and the necessity for a multifaceted approach that combines both reactive and proactive elements to foster pro-social behaviour and ensure a safe VR environment. (shrink)

This chapter examines the challenges and implications of content harms within social Virtual Reality (VR) platforms. It outlines how harmful content, including misinformation, conspiracy theories and ideologically driven violence, can be intensified in immersive VR environments. Drawing from examples across different social VR platforms, the chapter discusses the difficulty of content moderation in VR and the potential for real-world harm. It explores the applicability of existing online content-harm mitigation approaches, such as community guidelines and automated moderation, to social VR, highlighting (...) the unique challenges posed by the immersive nature of VR. The chapter concludes by addressing the future complexities of harmful content in mixed and augmented reality environments, stressing the importance of context-aware human moderation, AI support and the cultivation of pro-social community norms to prevent content harm in VR spaces. (shrink)

This chapter delves into the complexities of conduct harms in social Virtual Reality (VR), emphasising the distinctive challenges posed by VR's immersive nature. It explores how VR's spatial and temporal affordances intensify experiences of harassment, particularly embodied harassment, which feels ‘real’ due to the embodied nature of VR interactions. The chapter highlights the inadequacy of current moderation practices and the unique forms of gender-based harm prevalent within VR environments. It critiques the reliance on reactive safety features, which often fail to (...) protect users effectively, and underscores the necessity for a more proactive approach to governance and policymaking. By examining the psychological and social impacts of conduct harms, the chapter calls for a reevaluation of community norms and the development of more inclusive and effective moderation tools, advocating for a synergy between human, automated and community-based approaches to ensure user safety in social VR platforms. (shrink)

This chapter summarises the benefits, risks of harm and other complexities presented by social virtual reality (VR), and the need for proactive governance and regulation. It emphasises that immersion in VR can amplify the intensity of user experiences, both positive and negative, underscoring the need for a nuanced approach to content moderation and inclusive design practices. The chapter sets forth the key aims of this book, which includes equipping industry leaders and policymakers with the knowledge required for proactive social VR (...) governance, ensuring equitable safety and success for all users. (shrink)

This chapter synthesises the book’s exploration of social VR platform governance, advocating for inclusive immersive environments in which the rights and needs of all participants are respected. It presents five key principles essential for achieving this goal: promoting pro-social cultures; prioritising prevention over reaction; embedding safety by design; ensuring user control and choice; and upholding platform responsibility and accountability. Whilst the rapid evolution of social VR presents barriers to immediate regulatory and policy interventions, the proposed principles offer a durable framework (...) for addressing social VR's governance challenges as the technology evolves, aimed at guiding regulators, policymakers and platforms towards safer and more inclusive virtual spaces. (shrink)

In this ground-breaking book, we navigate the uncharted terrain of social virtual reality (VR), a technology that, while offering unprecedented immersive experiences, brings forth significant governance challenges. By merging theoretical insights with practical examples, the book examines the risks of harm in social VR environments, including both content and conduct issues. It charts a course for developing inclusive and safe social VR spaces that are respectful of diverse users’ rights and needs, laying out essential principles for policymakers, developers and regulators. (...) The book is an urgent call to proactively shape the burgeoning field of VR for the betterment of all. (shrink)