We collect cookies to analyze our website traffic and performance; we never collect any personal data.Cookies Policy
Accept
Michigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
Reading: The Metaverse’s Dark Side: Here Come Harassment and Assaults
Share
Font ResizerAa
Michigan PostMichigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved.
Michigan Post > Blog > Tech / Science > The Metaverse’s Dark Side: Here Come Harassment and Assaults
Tech / Science

The Metaverse’s Dark Side: Here Come Harassment and Assaults

By Editorial Board Published December 30, 2021 2 Min Read
Share
The Metaverse’s Dark Side: Here Come Harassment and Assaults
00metaabuse facebookJumbo

VRChat did not respond to a request for comment.

After Ms. Siggens faced abuse while playing the Population One virtual reality game, she said, she joined a virtual support group for women, many of whom also play the game. Members regularly dealt with harassment in the game, she said. In June, Meta acquired BigBox VR, the developer of Population One.

Another member of the support group, Mari DeGrazia, 48, of Tucson, Ariz., said she saw harassment and assault happen in Population One “two to three times a week, if not more.”

“Sometimes, we see things happen two to three times day that violate the game’s rules,” she added.

BigBox VR did not respond to a request for comment.

Ms. DeGrazia said the people behind Population One had responded to her complaints and appeared interested in making the game safer. Despite the harassment, she said, she has found a community of virtual friends whom she regularly plays the game with and enjoys those interactions.

“I’m not going to stop playing, because I think it’s important to have diverse people, including women, playing this game,” she said. “We aren’t going to be pushed out of it, even though sometimes it’s hard.”

In July, Ms. DeGrazia wore a haptic vest — which relays sensations through buzzes and vibrations — to play Population One. When another player groped her avatar’s chest, “it felt just awful,” she said. She noted that Mr. Zuckerberg has described a metaverse where people can be fitted with full-body suits that let them feel even more sensations, which she said was troubling.

Ms. Siggens said she had ultimately reported the user account of the person who groped her in Population One through a form within the game. She later received an automated response saying punitive action had been taken against the user.

TAGGED:Children and ChildhoodComputers and the InternetCorporate Social ResponsibilityCyberharassmentFacebook IncInnovationMeta Platforms IncOculus VR IncSexual HarassmentSocial MediaThe Washington MailVirtual Reality (Computers)Women and GirlsZuckerberg, Mark E
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print

HOT NEWS

Lamine Yamal: Incapacity rights group threatens authorized motion after individuals with dwarfism reportedly employed for star’s celebration

Lamine Yamal: Incapacity rights group threatens authorized motion after individuals with dwarfism reportedly employed for star’s celebration

World
July 15, 2025
Amid resurgent 12 months and batting title push, Will Smith unbothered being ‘overlooked’

Amid resurgent 12 months and batting title push, Will Smith unbothered being ‘overlooked’

ATLANTA — The hierarchy of stars was apparent even within the desk preparations.At an All-Star Sport media…

July 15, 2025
New MSTR ETF gives weekly payouts — till BTC market turns

New MSTR ETF gives weekly payouts — till BTC market turns

Catering to the brief consideration span of retail buyers in Michael Saylor’s bitcoin (BTC) treasury…

July 15, 2025
AG Nessel urges Congress to 'curb unscrupulous' ICE techniques

AG Nessel urges Congress to 'curb unscrupulous' ICE techniques

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan Lawyer Basic Dana Nessel is co-leading a coalition of attorneys…

July 15, 2025
Registrar Computershare amongst suitors for former fintech star PrimaryBid

Registrar Computershare amongst suitors for former fintech star PrimaryBid

The Australian-listed share registrar Computershare is amongst a pack of suitors circling PrimaryBid, one of…

July 15, 2025

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Tesla on trial after runaway automotive on Autopilot kills stargazing lady

A jury will determine whether or not Tesla is partly guilty for the loss of life of a younger lady…

Tech / Science
July 15, 2025

World’s greatest human imaging mission reaches new milestone after scanning 100,000th UK volunteer

Steve's morning begins mendacity nonetheless within the clanging magnet of an MRI machine as his physique is slowly scanned from…

Tech / Science
July 15, 2025

Many cancers not ‘a demise sentence’ as remedy on ‘cusp of golden period’, NHS England medical director says

Many individuals with a most cancers analysis "should be confident that it's not a death sentence and that more treatments…

Tech / Science
July 14, 2025

We’re getting into ‘golden age’ of most cancers therapy – however not everyone is benefitting

A buddy of mine was just lately identified with a melanoma, an aggressive type of pores and skin most cancers…

Tech / Science
July 14, 2025

Welcome to Michigan Post, an esteemed publication of the Enspirers News Group. As a beacon of excellence in journalism, Michigan Post is committed to delivering unfiltered and comprehensive news coverage on World News, Politics, Business, Tech, and beyond.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?