Experts brief MPs on protecting children in virtual reality
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Published
13 November 2025
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Researchers from the University of East London’s Child Online Harms Policy Think Tank joined MPs and policymakers at Westminster to discuss how to protect children from emerging risks in virtual reality environments.
Held on Wednesday 5 November in the Jubilee Room, Westminster, the session formed part of Evidence Week, a national event that brings together parliamentarians, researchers, and the public to explore how evidence can inform better policy decisions. The discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges of immersive technologies, particularly how virtual reality (VR) and the metaverse are reshaping young people’s online experiences.
Representing UEL were Professor Julia Davidson OBE, Alexandra Deac (Research Assistant), Dr Ruby Farr (Criminologist), Boglarka Meggyesfalvi (Researcher), and Mark Tsagas (Institute for Connected Communities, UEL). The team engaged directly with MPs and parliamentary staff, sharing insights from UEL’s extensive research on child online safety and outlining how policymakers, educators, and tech companies can work together to build safer digital spaces.
The session sparked thoughtful debate among attendees, with MPs raising questions about how virtual reality is being used by children, how current regulation applies to immersive worlds, and what measures could help prevent harm while supporting innovation.
Image Credits: James Gifford-Mead
“Virtual reality offers extraordinary opportunities for learning and connection, but it also brings unique risks that children may not yet be equipped to navigate,” said Professor Julia Davidson OBE.
By engaging directly with policymakers, we can help ensure that children’s safety and digital rights are protected as technology evolves and ensure that VR doesn't become a regulatory gap.”
The team’s research shows that almost half of UK children aged 8–17 have already used a VR headset, often without sufficient safety mechanisms in place. While virtual environments can offer creative and educational benefits, many young users report experiencing harassment, inappropriate content, or confusion about acceptable behaviour online.
UEL researchers are calling for stronger, evidence-informed protections to be built into immersive platforms from the outset, combining effective moderation, easy-to-use reporting tools, and clearer education around digital behaviour and consent. They also emphasised the importance of giving children a voice in shaping these systems, ensuring that safeguards reflect their real experiences in online and virtual spaces.
The team also discussed how the Online Safety Act 2023 provides a vital foundation for protecting users, but it will need to evolve to keep pace with fast-changing technologies like VR and AI. Challenges such as age verification, live voice chat moderation, and the psychological impact of immersive experiences require new thinking and cross-sector collaboration between government, educators, law enforcement, and industry.
The Child Online Harms Policy Think Tank, based at UEL, was officially launched at the House of Lords in summer 2025. The independent academic initiative is dedicated to identifying gaps in legislation, addressing emerging risks posed by new technologies, and championing children’s digital rights. Building on more than a decade of collaboration with the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Evidence Group, the Think Tank bridges the gap between research and real-world policymaking, turning evidence into action.
Evidence Week, now in its eighth year, is run by Sense about Science in partnership with the Quadram Institute, the UK Statistics Authority and research institutions across the UK. The event connects MPs with experts to ensure the latest evidence informs decisions on key issues such as AI, health and online safety.
This work forms part of UEL’s Year of Health, which explores wellbeing across physical, mental, social and digital dimensions. Through the Think Tank, UEL continues to lead national conversations on online harms, helping ensure the digital world is safe by design.