Children's Online Safety Risks and Ethical Considerations in XR Games
Zinan Zhang, Xinning Gui, Yubo Kou
TLDR
This paper investigates children's online safety risks in XR games, identifying harmful design patterns and advocating for child-centered ethical frameworks.
Key contributions
- Identifies harmful XR game design patterns contributing to children's online safety risks.
- Reveals how game developers collaboratively generate and implement risky design ideas.
- Documents children's firsthand experiences with online safety issues in XR games.
- Advocates for a child-centered, design-aware ethical approach for safer XR environments.
Why it matters
This research is crucial as XR games increasingly expose children to new safety risks like accidents and disturbing content. It highlights the inadequacy of current ethical frameworks and proposes a child-centered design approach. This work aims to guide platforms and policymakers in creating safer, more inclusive XR environments for children.
Original Abstract
Emerging extended reality technologies are reshaping how children play, learn, and socialize. Yet, they also present serious safety risks. Gaming, a primary form of entertainment for children, is also one of the key applications of XR. While XR platforms offer immersive and engaging gaming experiences, recent news has highlighted safety concerns such as car accidents, lower judgment for real-world situations, and exposure to disturbing content like virtual rape. This research examines how XR game design may lead to online safety risks for children. Through analysis of player forums, game developer forums, and interviews with child players, we identify harmful XR design patterns, explore how developers collaboratively generate and implement risky game ideas, and document children's firsthand experiences of online safety risks. Existing ethical frameworks often fail to address the immersive and socially dynamic nature of XR games. We advocate for a child-centered, design-aware approach to ethical considerations in XR games, urging platforms and policymakers to prioritize children's developmental needs. Our work aims to help shape safer, more inclusive XR environments through research and cross-sector collaboration.
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