Can you really commit a crime in virtual reality?
Police are investigating ‘virtual rape’ in the metaverse after a group of men attacked a young girl’s avatar in a virtual reality (VR) room.
Predators in online spaces children are nothing new, remember the online chatrooms of the past? But, with VR there’s interactive avatar for the user to identify with and predators to interact with.
The victim reportedly suffered psychological and emotional trauma comparable to a real-life assault. But can you really commit a real-life crime in virtual reality? And if so, how can we regulate it?
Read on to see what readers think about this issue, among others.
Share your thoughts in the comments.
'Has the world gone mad?'
Police are investigating a ‘gang rape’ carried out in the metaverse by a group of men who attacked the online avatar of a girl aged under 16 (Metro, Wed).
The victim – wearing an immersive virtual reality headset – was left feeling distraught after being targeted by the strangers roaming the digital world.
Has the world gone mad? How does a virtual incident become big news?
Ann-Marie, London
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Does virtual crime have real life effects?
Yes, the police should investigate virtual rape. If not stopped, an online rapist today could become a physical rapist tomorrow. Paul O, Stratford-upon-Avon
I was playing Call Of Duty the other day when another player killed me. Can the police investigate my murder, please?
I know they have nothing better to do than investigate virtual reality crime rather than actual crime. Come on! The metaverse is no more real than books. Tony M, Rochester
‘How can you be raped in virtual reality?’
How can you be raped in virtual reality? Rape is a very physical thing. I’ve never heard such a load of tosh.
The parents/guardians of these children should spend more time (and less money) with them. But if this is what VR is being used for (as opposed to training doctors etc) it should be banned or at least limited to specific uses. Dee H, Kent
No justice for victims of the Post Office scandal
I watched Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, starring Toby Jones, about how hundreds of its staff were wrongly convicted of theft. I am disgusted by the actions of the management. Why are there no prosecutions of these people?
It all happened because faulty software called Horizon made it appear funds were missing from post offices. It makes me wonder whether smart meters might be the next scandal. Watch this space. Ian, Glasgow
In 1944, retired engineer Robert Moodie set about creating an authentic, perfectly scaled, miniature musical instrument.
At just under two inches, he had successfully crafted what experts still believe to be the world’s smallest violin.
This could be the perfect post-Christmas gift to cheer up those poor baronesses of the world such as Michelle Mone, who have run out of victim cards to play when confronted about profiteering from PPE their husbands sold during Covid. Simon, Oldham
Israeli claims about the numbers of Hamas leaders and fighters they have killed or captured in response to the terrorist attack of October 7 reminds me of the exaggerated claims made by the US during the Vietnam war about numbers of Vietcong killed or captured. They counted killed innocent villagers as Vietcong. Mike, Tyneside
I feel sad that Israel is made to be the ‘bad guy’ when Hamas has made it plain, since moving into Gaza after Israel’s voluntary withdrawal in 2005, that its only aim is the complete annihilation of Israel and it has no interest in a two-state solution. Sandra, Bristol
‘Wait… How old are you again?’
To parents using the Tube this year. Please stop telling the station staff that your 5ft 8in, 15-year-old child is actually ten years old just so that they can get a free ride on the Tube. We were not born last year. Underground Worker, London
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