The “V” in “VR” Might Mean “Violence”
By Marsha Green
According to the online definition, “Virtual reality is an interactive computer-generated experience taking place within a simulated environment. It incorporates mainly auditory and visual feedback, but may also allow other types of sensory feedback like haptic. This immersive environment can be similar to the real world or it can be fantastical.”
Virtual Reality or “VR” as it is called for short, can be used in many ways. There are instances where VR has been used to give “rural students a glimpse of college life.” To help show them through a virtual world what the college experience is and what it looks like. With a virtual trip on campus and a look at dorms, this experience is an educational and fun one.
It also is currently being used to help test elderly drivers in seeing if they are capable of staying on the roads. It gives them scenarios which show different road environments, and real-life road encounters and various levels of high traffic situations.
While these uses of VR, and many others, can be used to edify and are ethical means of emerging technology, there is one use of VR that is causing more harm than good. Violent simulations in VR video games have taken over the gaming world.
There has been violence in video games for years; games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto show violence upon civilians and law officials for years now. The difference with VR is that this violence is so realistic and closes the gap on the emotional disconnect that was present in violent video games before. It’s different when you shoot someone in a game while you sit in front of your television screen, but when you can now live that experience in a simulated real world, the emotional connection changes.
Many researchers have shown that there are different health risks that come with real lifelike Virtual Violence. Mental and psychological effects can be long-lasting. This use of VR is unethical and downright unnecessary. While many of these video games have age requirements, let's be honest, who really thinks young kids aren’t playing these Virtually Violent games.
With the good comes the bad, while VR usage has emerged in the tech world and can be used for so much good, we still have work to do.
