Fostering Inclusive Virtual Reality Environments: Discussing Strategies for Promoting Group Dynamics and Mitigating Harassment

The rapid evolution of social Virtual Reality (VR) platforms has significantly enhanced the way users interact and socialize in digital spaces, offering immersive experiences that closely mimic real-world interactions [1]. However, this technological advancement has brought new challenges, particularly in ensuring safety and preventing harassment [11]. Unlike traditional social media platforms, the immersive nature of social VR applications can intensify the impact of harassment, affecting users' emotions, experiences, and reactions at both mental and physical levels [2, 9]. Group dynamics can play a pivotal role in both preventing and mitigating harassment [9]. Literature in group dynamics has provided insights into fostering and nurturing communities, with special emphasis on how enabling leadership, coordination, and cohesion among individuals can enable inclusive and safer social spaces [4]. For this workshop, we propose to discuss group-centric approaches to address harassment in social VR. We will discuss group strategies such as matching, interactions, and reporting mechanisms aimed at promoting safer and more supportive social VR spaces. By leveraging the social structures among users, we aim to empower users and communities to collectively counteract harassment and ensure a positive social experience for all users.