How Safe is the Metaverse

'Dispatches – Inside the Metaverse: Are you Safe?' aired Monday (25th April). This new documentary saw journalist Yinka Bokinni log in to the metaverse as both a 22-year-old woman and as a 13-year-old girl, documenting her experience in this virtual world.

The Channel 4 documentary has generated more concern over the safety of the Metaverse than ever before. The Metaverse is no stranger to controversy - and with the recent release of the documentary, people are now wondering if the Metaverse is really as safe as it claims to be. During her time in the Metaverse Bokinni was exposed to extreme racism and sexual harassment - the racism at some points was so bad it couldn't be broadcast. Bokinni's experience as a 13-year-old girl was particularly harrowing, with her being harassed by older men as well as being able to access explicit content while her profile was listed as that of a 13-year-old.

This documentary has shone a light on the dark side of the Metaverse and has made people question whether or not it is a safe place for them to be. The Metaverse is a vast and ever-growing world, and it is impossible to keep track of everything that goes on within it. It is clear from the documentary that there are some serious safety concerns that need to be addressed.

So, what exactly is the Metaverse?

The Metaverse is a virtual world that people can explore and interact with. It is made up of many different spaces, each with their own set of rules and regulations. While the Metaverse does have some safety measures in place, such as age verification and Moderation teams, it is still a largely unregulated world. This means that people can pretty much do whatever they want, without any consequences. The metaverse is accessed via VR headsets, such as the Oculus Rift, and is populated with a variety of different people, from all over the world.

The Metaverse is home to millions of people from all over the world, and it is growing every day. With so many people comes a lot of different opinions and beliefs. Unfortunately, not everyone is tolerant of others and this can lead to some very hateful behaviour.

Credit: Unsplash

What is making people question the Metaverse's safety?

The most significant threat in the metaverse is data security and privacy. The Metaverse is full of personal information, and if this were to fall into the wrong hands it could be disastrous.

Racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination are unfortunately rife in the Metaverse. The problem is that people can be anonymous in this world, which leads to a lot of people feeling like they can say and do whatever they want without any consequences. This can be a very dangerous combination.

Sexual harassment is also a big problem in the Metaverse. Again, because people can be anonymous, they often feel like they can get away with this behaviour. This can make the Metaverse a very unsafe place for women and other vulnerable groups.

One of the most notable people to speak out about the Metaverse is Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen. Frances Haugen was one of the first people to speak out about the dangers of the Metaverse, especially when it comes to the metaverse using "Facebook sensors" like cameras in users homes saying "This company—which has already shown it lies to us whenever it’s in its own interests—we’re supposed to put cameras and microphones for them in our homes?"

So, is the Metaverse safe?

The answer to this question is complicated. The Metaverse is a vast and ever-growing world, and it is impossible to keep track of everything that goes on within it. There are some serious safety concerns that need to be addressed, but at the same time, there are also a lot of people who enjoy spending time in this virtual world.

It is up to each individual to decide whether or not they feel safe in the Metaverse. If you do choose to spend time in this world, it is important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself. For those under 18, the Metaverse can be a particularly dangerous place. There are a lot of explicit and disturbing things that can be found in this world and with the current regulations, it is very easy for children to access this content.

What can the Metaverse do to improve its safety?

There are a few things that could be done to make the Metaverse a safer place. One of the most important things is to increase regulation and oversight. This would help to prevent people from engaging in illegal or harmful activities. Another thing that could be done is to increase the amount of Moderation teams. These teams could help to monitor the different spaces within the Metaverse and take action if they see anything that violates the rules.

Finally, education is key. The more people know about the risks of the Metaverse, the better equipped they will be to protect themselves. Education campaigns could help to raise awareness of the dangers and provide advice on how to stay safe. However, the Metaverse is a very complex world and changing it would be no easy task.

In conclusion, the Metaverse is a fascinating and ever-growing world. It is home to millions of people from all over the globe and offers a huge amount of potential. However, it is also a world with many dangers. It is important to be aware of the risks before spending any time in this virtual world. There are a number of things that could be done to make the Metaverse a safer place, but at the moment it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they feel safe in this world.

To read more about 'Dispatches – Inside the Metaverse: Are you Safe?' take a look at Bokinni's own article on the documentary.