Over the past decade, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have seen continuous growth and maturation. As AR/VR technologies enter the mainstream, one priority is addressing user safety: ensuring AR/VR products and services do not cause injury, harm, or loss to users.

ITIF Series on User Safety in AR/VR: Protecting Adults, Teens, and Kids

Policymakers should empower metaverse platforms to develop innovative tools and solutions to address safety issues and ensure AR/VR products and services don’t harm users. Overly prescriptive regulation risks stifling the progress of those innovations.

User Safety in AR/VR: Protecting Adults

The shift to mass distance learning has underscored the need for schools to adopt educational technology that allows students to learn independently, whether at home or in the classroom, as well as to stay engaged. Augmented and virtual reality have the potential to meet these needs, but only if federal and state governments make targeted investments in these technologies.

With the Right Investments, AR and VR Can Reduce Education Gaps

The White House chief technology officer should convene a working group of virtual and augmented reality experts and government agency personnel to identify promising AR/VR applications and determine ways to accelerate their adoption, including within government. 

To Do: Convene a Working Group of AR/VR Experts and Agency Personnel

AR/VR Poses New Content Moderation Challenges

Join ITIF for a panel discussion with policymakers and thought leaders about how to ensure that users can enjoy the benefits of AR/VR technology safely.

Fostering User Safety in AR/VR Technology

Congress should increase funding for law enforcement training and investigations to keep children safe online.

To Do: Increase Funding to Fight CSAM

Teens are some of the enthusiastic early adopters of augmented and virtual reality devices and the metaverse. Their relative lack of maturity and naivete makes them more susceptible to safety threats than adults. Yet, current policy proposals are unlikely to make AR/VR safer and would make online experiences worse overall for both teens and adults.

User Safety in AR/VR: Protecting Teens

Through a series of expert talks and panels, this half-day conference organized by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and the XR Association explored the role of policy in AR/VR innovation and identified priority areas for policymakers to consider as these technologies continue to expand.

To Do: Research AR/VR Impacts on Children

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User Safety in AR/VR: Protecting Kids

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ITIF Series on User Safety in AR/VR: Protecting Adults, Teens, and Kids

User Safety in AR/VR: Protecting Adults

With the Right Investments, AR and VR Can Reduce Education Gaps