The Ethical Implications of Virtual Reality

As with any new technology, there are ethical implications that must be considered. XR, in particular, raises some novel issues that deserve serious consideration.

As a general rule, it is important to balance the risks with the benefits. However, some risks may be more pronounced than others.

PTSD

PTSD is a common mental health disorder that develops in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. It can affect how you think and feel, making it hard to function in daily life.

Those suffering from PTSD often avoid painful memories, objects, or situations that remind them of the trauma. This can lead to feelings of fear and avoidance that can have negative effects on relationships, work, and everyday life.

Treatment for PTSD involves both medication and trauma-focused psychotherapy (also called counseling or talk therapy). Some people choose to combine these approaches.

One concern about VR is that it could cause a person’s fear centers to be rewired in a way similar to PTSD. Researchers believe this might happen if people feel that they are in danger of harm while immersed in virtual reality. They also worry about how the experience may impact people’s lives after they leave the VR environment. This is an important issue to consider as the technology continues to develop.

Addiction

Addiction is a compulsive need for a substance or practice that can negatively impact a person's life. This can be to drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, or to activities, such as playing video games or socializing with others.

Craving is triggered by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and social factors. Often, addiction is a result of a combination of these factors.

VR simulations can be used to evaluate the efficacy of psychotherapeutic approaches, allowing patients to immerse in a virtual world where they can confront cravings and other challenges. Studies have shown that using virtual reality therapy reduces relapse rates and improves behavioral outcomes in patients with different mental health conditions, including drug addiction.

Research into VR treatment is still in its early stages, but it is promising and could contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of addiction. Moreover, VR simulations can be personalized and can be applied to a range of subjects (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity).

Torture

Torture is the intentional infliction of extreme physical or mental pain on a defenceless individual for reasons other than those which the individual consents to. In international humanitarian law, this is prohibited by the various treaties and conventions enshrined in human rights law.

The right to freedom from torture is a universally recognized human right. Its prohibition is a jus cogens or peremptory norm of general international law, which gives rise to the obligation of States to take action against those who violate this right.

Torture is used in countries around the world for a wide variety of purposes, including social and political control, punishment or intimidation, or as a way of getting information. In some instances, torture is carried out for judicial purposes.

Privacy

Privacy is a vital aspect of a person’s well-being. It is the right to maintain a private space that does not reveal personal details about oneself, and is the basis for many social norms.

Yet, with the rise of virtual reality (VR), the collection and use of sensitive data about users has become a growing concern. This data stream may contain information about a person’s physical movements, and can be used by marketers, companies, and even law enforcement to target people.

However, with no laws limiting the types of behavioral data consumer VR platforms can collect or how they can use it, companies have a wide array of applications for collecting and using this data to influence users. This has given rise to the notion of a “privacy paradox.”