A researcher posing as a 13-year-old girl witnessed grooming, sexual material, racist insults and a rape threat in the virtual-reality world.
One man told our researcher that avatars can "get naked and do unspeakable things". Others talked about "erotic role-play".
"This is a product that is dangerous by design, because of oversight and neglect. We are seeing products rolled out without any suggestion that safety has been considered," he said. The safety campaigner explained because VR is so immersive, children actually have to act out sexual movements.Undercover BBC researcher witnesses sexual material, racist insults and a rape threat in metaverse
The music playing in the rooms, which can be controlled by the players, adds to the impression that it is not a space that is suitable for children. She says her research team has found many of their experiences in VR "fun and surreal", but others have been "quite traumatic and disturbing".A group of men surrounded them both and joked about raping them. Ms Allen said she had to step between the men and the child to protect her.
VRChat told us it was "working hard to make itself a safe and welcoming place for everyone." It said "predatory and toxic behaviour has no place on the platform".
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Metaverse app allows kids into virtual strip clubsA BBC investigation witnesses grooming, sexual material and a rape threat in a virtual reality world.
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