Harassment in Metaverse (Nem x Mila)

We conducted a large-scale survey during which we collected and analyzed approximately 900 answers from social VR users worldwide to clarify the reality of harassment in Metaverse, which is attracting attention due to the rapid growth in the number of users. The report is published here and is free to consult in order to stimulate discussions for a better Metaverse. We also compared user trends from the last year, "Social VR Lifestyle Survey 2021" and summarized the changes. We are welcome for your feedback.
*日本語版ポータルはこちら

This report was featured in various TV programs s and online media outlets, and the data was also provided to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of the Japanese government. Thank you for your support.

Foreword

Metaverse is the place where all people can gather, breaking the barriers of gender, age, and social and geographic positions. Some media emphasize the metaverse harassment issues such as provocative behavior, slurs, etc. But what is the reality for residents who are truly living in the current Metaverse world? By conducting a quantitative survey across different platforms and regions, we investigate the following questions: 1) Do users actually encounter harassment? If so, what kind of harassment? 2) Does the user’s gender and sexuality impact their safety? 3) How do users deal with unwanted behavior, and to what extent does it impact them? We hope that by visualizing what is really happening in the Metaverse, we can think together about better "Metaverse manners" and make our lives in the Metaverse freer, safer, and more enjoyable.

Nem x Mila

Contents

Part 1. Harassment Experiences
By regions, sexuality and platforms
Part 2. Reality of Harassment
Harassment types, extent and reasons
Part 3. After Harassment
Impact on physical and Metaverse lives
Part 4. For a Better Metaverse
To keep us safe. Requests for legislations and to platforms
Part 5. Metaverse User Profile 2022
Physical sex, age, avatar appearance, changes from last year

Report "Harassment in Metaverse (Nem x Mila)"

>>>Get the report here (PDF) <<<

*When sharing, we would appreciate if you could share this portal page instead of the pdf link. (Because the link may change when the report is updated)

・Report style : pdf,  English-Japanese bilingual style, 62 pages

Feedback form

*Added on 2023/11/3: We have closed the acceptance of the feedback form. Thank you for many feedback!
Thank you for reading our report. Please give us your feedback by answering this form for our further analysis and future research activities.

>>> Give us feedback (Google Form) <<<

YouTube LIVE debriefing

The research unit Nem x Mila will debrief from the metaverse on Saturday, 26 November, at 22:00 JST on YouTube LIVE. The duo will answer viewers' questions in real-time.

Metaverse Research Unit "Nem x Mila"

"Harassment in Metaverse" is a survey project by research unit "Nem x Mila". Please follow us on Twitter.

Metaverse Research Unit "Nem x Mila"

Liudmila Bredikhina
Master's degree from Geneva University, Switzerland. Currently an independent anthropologist. She received the "Prix Genre" academic award in the field of gender from Geneva University for her master's thesis on “Ba-bi-niku" and "VTuber" in 2022.
Twitter : @BredikhinaL

Virtual Girl Nem
A Japanese VTuber and Metaverse Culture Evangelist. HTC official VIVE ambassador. She published the commentary book “Homo Metaverse (Gijutsu-hyouron-sha)" in 2022.
Twitter : @nemchan_nel

For inquiries about media coverage, etc, please reach us to our Twitter DM or email address described on the report.

Official supporters

We got help by various Metaverse-related organizations on spreading the survey.
・NPO Virtual Rights
・PANORA
・Metacul-Frontier
・VNOS Corporation

Nem x Mila : Recent Activities

TBWA Worldwide “VTUBERS” (2022)

We appeared in an international VTuber documentary, explaining the impact of avatars on personal identity in the VTuber and metaverse.

Social VR Lifestyle Survey 2021

We published a report to clarify the reality of lifestyle targeting world-wide social VR users.

Virtual Conference 2021

Academic event conducted within the VR space. We presented "Social VR Lifestyle Survey 2021"
*Virtual Conference 2021

VRDays Europe 2021

International VR Technology Conference in Amsterdam ,The Netherlands and VR Space. We gave a presentation in "What is the Metaverse?"
*VRDays Europe

Social VR Lifestyle Survey : Korea (2022)

We published a report to clarify the reality of lifestyle targeting Korean social VR users.
*Report in Japanese

Media publications

This report was featured in various TV programs s and online media outlets, and the data was also provided to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of the Japanese government. Thank you for your support. See detail at Japanese blog post.

The other English media publications: 

• grape Japan : Most social VR users experience harassment, other findings revealed in pioneering survey & report

• OTAKU USA MAGAZINE : Survey: Sexual Harassment Common in VR, Slurs Common in North America

• JAPAN Forward : Metaverse: Most Social VR Users Experience Harassment, Other Findings Revealed in Pioneering Survey & Report

• Gamingdeputy France : Métaverse : la plupart des utilisateurs de réalité virtuelle sociale sont victimes de harcèlement, d'autres résultats révélés dans une enquête et un rapport pionniers

• Anime News Network - Multilingual Survey Finds Most Harassment in Virtual Reality is Sexual

• NewsDrop VTuber News - Nem x Mila and Their Quest on VTuber Research

• Immersive Wire - Understanding harassment on metaverse platforms, with suggested actions