According to The Guardian, the girl is said to have been playing a VR game in Metaverse, a virtual environment on the Internet, when her avatar was attacked by several other players who subjected the avatar to what is described as a virtual rape.
Not the first time
It is not clear what game the girl played. But it is not the first time users have reported sexual offenses in Metaverse. Several virtual abuses have already been reported, including in the Meta game Horizon Worlds, reports Forbes.
Even Nina Jane Patel, who works to create safe spaces for children in Metaverse, has stated that she suffered a similar incident, writes BBC.
She has expressed concern that future technology could force users to physically experience virtual abuse.
The platform’s own responsibility
In connection with the reporting on the affected minor girl, it is also discussed how the responsibility of the company Meta, which owns the platform, looks like.
In a statement, Meta condemns the people’s behavior. They also believe that they have a function that will make people in the game that you do not know, not be able to come within a few meters of your own avatar.
New law to protect users
Last year, a new law was introduced in Great Britain to help protect children and adults on the internet. The law also makes social media companies more accountable for the security of users on their platforms.
The incident has raised questions about what both national and international law actually looks like when it comes to abuse online and in virtual environments.
In the video above, Ängla Pändel, lawyer and chairman of the Institute for Law and the Internet, explains how the Swedish legislation works in this context.