Experts have issued a warning about ‘metacrime’ - crimes and inappropriate activities within virtual reality (VR) environments. 

As VR grows in popularity, many users, especially children, may be unaware of the risks.

The metaverse, a digital world where users interact via avatars, has become increasingly popular, particularly for gaming. 

While the technology offers fun and immersive experiences, it also opens the door to new forms of crime. 

A December 2023 report by the Australian eSafety Commissioner found that around 680,000 Australian adults are active in the metaverse. 

A study by the UK’s Center for Countering Digital Hate also revealed widespread harassment in VR spaces. 

Users reported being called offensive names, receiving unwanted sexual advances, and even being virtually touched without consent. 

These experiences had a moderate to extreme impact on nearly half of the affected users' mental or emotional health.

Griffith University’s Dr Ausma Bernot has highlighted the blurred line between virtual and real experiences, saying that interactions in VR can feel very real and cause significant distress.

“It’s somewhere in between a physical attack and, for example, a social media harassment message,” she said, warning that the emotional impact is substantial.

Monash University’s You Zhou pointed out cases of virtual rape, including one involving a 16-year-old girl in the UK, where the psychological trauma was similar to that of a physical assault. 

“Before the emergence of the metaverse we could not have imagined how rape could be virtual,” Zhou stated.

As VR use is expected to increase, the research team stresses the need for stronger safety measures in the metaverse. 

They urge companies to create clear rules to protect users, particularly vulnerable groups like children. 

Dr Bernot advises parents to monitor their children’s VR activities and consider limiting access to multi-player games. 

The full study is accessible here,