There is no real way to make trolls stop being trolls online. Hiding behind anonymity, trolling can take place on social media, in comment sections, and yes, even in virtual reality.
Fortunately, Google is taking steps to make sure its social experiences are positive in VR.
Google announced on Tuesday, Aug. 9, that its Daydream Labs has been testing out different ways to prevent trolling and to make multiplayer experiences in VR safe for all users.
It may be easy for some players to push around — both figuratively and literally — others in the virtual world, especially in experiences that call for close interaction.
For example, Daydream Labs found that, in a simulation clothing store experience where users can try on items, some users blocked the view of someone else by placing a hat that covers their eyes. The now-blind user was not able to remove the hat from their face and had to reset the experience.
While this is a more aggressive example, others might be innocently curious about what limits they have in VR if there are no set rules. This might include trying to touch other players or standing inside someone else's virtual body. This could make the other player feel violated or uncomfortable, and consequently quit the experience.
To combat this problem and prevent trolls from being too invasive, the team at Daydream Labs came up with a way to give people the personal space they deserve — by using dogs playing poker.
The team built an experiment set at a poker table where each player embodied a dog character. When a player got up and walked away from the table, their screen would turn black and white. They would not be able to approach the other player and instead had the ability to follow a glowing space bubble that guided them back to their seat.
The other players would no longer see that player's avatar after they get up, which then prevented them from getting up to steal the player's chips.
By protecting users from invading others' personal space, Google can nip negative social behavior and trolling in the bud before it even happens.
Daydream Labs is also preventing trolling from happening by giving positive feedback for positive behavior. In another experiment, the team found that players loved giving other avatars a high-five when the interaction featured a loud slapping sound and fireworks animations.
Given the opportunity to be aggressive, such as being able to punch an avatar, users would not trigger any feedback. Users then preferred to use positive interactions.
Since VR is still in its early stages, it's important to start setting rules and social norms in the virtual space so that users don't abuse the platform. This will also keep users coming back to VR experiences if they feel safe.
