KIDS are able to access disturbing virtual strip clubs in the metaverse where they’re approached by adults, an investigation has found.
A researcher who posed as a minor was easily able to get onto an app called VRChat and was exposed to all sorts of inappropriate behaviour.
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According to one person, avatars are able to “get naked and do unspeakable things”.
Users have also been sharing their creepy experiences online for sometime.
The metaverse is a social space that users can socialise in – a bit like Facebook, but in virtual reality.
Facebook’s owner Meta does not run the app but it does operate the popular Meta Quest headsets used to access it on.
VRChat is home to many innocent things like supermarkets and even a McDonald’s.
But there are also pole-dancing venues and strip clubs lurking around, the BBC reports.
This is despite the app having a 13+ age rating.
There are no age verification checks to download the app, in fact all you need is a Facebook account.
The NSPCC has condemned the technology, calling it “dangerous by design”.
“It’s children being exposed to entirely inappropriate, really incredibly harmful experiences,” said Andy Burrows, who leads online child safety for the charity.
“We are seeing products rolled out without any suggestion that safety has been considered.”
Meta responded saying it has no responsibility for the app because it did make it.
“We want everyone using our products to have a good experience and easily find the tools that can help in situations like these, so we can investigate and take action,” Bill Stillwell, Product Manager for VR integrity said.
“In Meta apps like Horizon Venues users can mute, block and report others, and we recently introduced a Personal Boundary to help avoid unwanted interactions.
“For cross-platform apps that have users connecting from other platforms, mobile phones or consoles, we provide tools that allow Quest players to report and block users.
“We will continue to make improvements as we learn more about how people interact in these spaces.”
Jake Moore, a security advisor at ESET said the metaverse has enabled users to create new situations and locations in a fantasy realm but “unfortunately this has led to its creativity being abused by a number of users who will ultimately ruin it for younger audiences”.
“The metaverse is still very young and regulations are far from being ready to be able to police this new virtual world,” he explained.
“Meta must design the platform with security, privacy and safety in mind but sadly profits are clearly dominating at present whilst it finds its feet.
“If younger users are tipped to be the generation to take it on then Meta must enforce better protection and safety measures for all audiences.”
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