Harassment in the Metaverse: A Systematic Review of Immersive Virtual Environments, Harms and Governance Challenges

Abstract

The fast growth of immersive virtual worlds, otherwise known as the Metaverse, has redefined digital interaction where users can interact in virtual worlds through embodied avatars. These platforms, as much as they are innovative, creative and offer economic opportunities, have also led to other forms of harassment that are disrupting the current legal frameworks of operation. There have been rampant acts of sexual harassment, virtual assault, stalking, hate speech and mental intimidation which are prevalent throughout all virtual reality platforms and there have been serious concerns regarding consent, dignity, bodily autonomy and mental health. A systematic legal investigation into the topic of harassment in the Metaverse is presented in this paper, which will focus on the type of damages that users face, the sufficiency of both domestic and international laws, governance problems in transnational and decentralized virtual space. The study estimates by examining statutory provisions, judicial interpretations, platform policies and new regulatory discussions that the existing legal frameworks cannot be used to effectively solve immersive digital harms. The paper concludes by giving normative legal principles and governance reforms that will guarantee accountability, user protection and human rights adherence in the developing Metaverse ecosystem.