New research from the NSPCC shows that offenders are using virtual reality (VR) to groom and sexually abuse children as well as share illegal images of abuse.
The online spaces at the heart of the technology are being used by offenders to interact with children and simulate acts of abuse, a report commissioned by the children’s charity on VR and immersive technologies said.
It warned that offenders are being desensitised to their own behaviour as such spaces give them anonymity through the use of customisable, digital avatars to represent each person present.
The report said offenders are using these avatars to hide behind.
Virtual reality platforms are based around a person wearing a headset which immerses them in a virtual world where they can see and interact with other users as well as consume content.
VR is seen by some as the next iteration of the internet.
However, the study warned that these VR worlds invite the creation of tighter-knit offender communities which could be used to share child sexual abuse material and lead to an escalation in harmful behaviours.
The NSPCC has called on tech firms to do more to ensure virtual reality platforms are safe by design by introducing better child safety features and reporting systems, in response to the report.
It has also called on the Government to provide more guidance, funding and learning opportunities to law enforcement on how to deal with virtual reality platforms.
And with the Online Safety Bill, due to continue its passage through Parliament this week, the charity said the Government should review the Bill’s safety regime on a regular basis to ensure that it keeps up with emerging technologies and harms to make sure they are adequately covered under the law.
Richard Collard, head of child safety policy at the NSPCC, said: “These shocking findings should be a wake-up call to us all about the harm young people are facing when engaging with immersive technology.
“Technology will continue to progress, and so must we ensure that we can understand the existing and emerging risks that young people face in these virtual spaces.
“As the Online Safety Bill completes its passage through Parliament, it is vital that new and emerging technology forms a crucial part of the online safety regime.
“This will only be made possible through clear collaboration between educators, parents, policymakers, and the technology industry.”
Earlier this year, crime statistics data obtained from police forces in England and Wales by the NSPCC showed that virtual reality was recorded eight times in crime reports, the first time the technology has been specifically mentioned, the charity said.
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