Safety, Power Imbalances, Ethics and Proxy Sex: Surveying In-The-Wild Interactions Between VR Users and Bystanders

O'Hagan, J., Williamson, J. R. , McGill, M. and Khamis, M. (2021) Safety, Power Imbalances, Ethics and Proxy Sex: Surveying In-The-Wild Interactions Between VR Users and Bystanders. In: 2021 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR), Bari, Italy, 04-08 Oct 2021, ISBN 9781728197777 (doi: 10.1109/ISMAR52148.2021.00036)

Abstract

VR users and bystanders must sometimes interact, but our understanding of these interactions - their purpose, how they are accomplished, attitudes toward them, and where they break down - is limited. This current gap inhibits research into managing or supporting these interactions, and preventing unwanted or abusive activity. We present the results of the first survey (N=100) that investigates stories of actual emergent in-the-wild interactions between VR users and bystanders. Our analysis indicates VR user and bystander interactions can be categorised into one of three categories: coexisting, demoing, and interrupting. We highlight common interaction patterns and impediments encountered during these interactions. Bystanders play an important role in moderating the VR user’s experience, for example intervening to save the VR user from potential harm. However, our stories also suggest that the occlusive nature of VR introduces the potential for bystanders to exploit the vulnerable state of the VR user; and for the VR user to exploit the bystander for enhanced immersion, introducing significant ethical concerns.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Williamson, Dr Julie and O'Hagan, Mr Joseph and Khamis, Dr Mohamed and McGill, Dr Mark
• Authors: O'Hagan, J., Williamson, J. R., McGill, M., and Khamis, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• ISSN: 1554-7868
• ISBN: 9781728197777
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 IEEE
• First Published: First published in Proceedings of the 2021 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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