A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]
The use of extended reality (XR) / immersive technologies such as virtual, augmented, mixed reality and virtual worlds (Metaverse) raises issues of ethical concern. The various issues, if left unaddressed, may impact human wellbeing over time. Immersive technologies are used in entertainment, commer...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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F1000 Research Ltd
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Open Research Europe |
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| Online Access: | https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/4-74/v2 |
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| author | Rigmor C. Baraas Alina Kadlubsky Rosemarie D.L.C Bernabe Shereen Cox Jonathan Adams Ellen Svarverud |
| author_facet | Rigmor C. Baraas Alina Kadlubsky Rosemarie D.L.C Bernabe Shereen Cox Jonathan Adams Ellen Svarverud |
| author_sort | Rigmor C. Baraas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of extended reality (XR) / immersive technologies such as virtual, augmented, mixed reality and virtual worlds (Metaverse) raises issues of ethical concern. The various issues, if left unaddressed, may impact human wellbeing over time. Immersive technologies are used in entertainment, commerce, training, education, health, and the military among others. Subsequently, there is a broad spectrum of users with various degrees of competencies and vulnerabilities. Special attention regarding long-term effects of immersive technologies on children and the lack of consideration of inclusivity for all persons in society is essential. Several publications have highlighted ethical issues related to immersive technologies, and some have sought to address these issues by proposing solutions or approaches in the form of frameworks, codes of conduct or best practices. This review examined literature between 2000 and 2023 to identify proposed or adopted ethical frameworks, codes of conduct or best practices for immersive technologies. Qualitative research method was applied, using a scoping review approach. Twenty-eight papers were selected for analysis. Approximately 70% of the selected papers were published between 2020 and 2022. Using an inductive thematic analysis method, seven fundamental values and twenty-two corresponding principles were generated. The main values are respect for persons, well-being, safety, integrity and trust, justice, and responsiveness. The dominant principles identified are privacy, informed consent, responsibility, transparency, and freedom. The authors of the papers were predominantly academic researchers. The normative approaches to addressing ethical issues were organised into four domains: society and governance, industry, research/academic organisations, and individuals. Recommendations are: 1) development and/or application of laws or guidelines to ethical, legal, and social issues with immersive technologies; 2) adoption of inclusive approaches to design and development; 3) minimisation of risk for research participants; 4) empowerment of users of immersive technologies; and 5) promotion of responsibility and sincerity in the use of virtual space, especially in matters concerning identity and conduct. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c278c69016549a8a2d4e14c508ea742 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2732-5121 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Open Research Europe |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c278c69016549a8a2d4e14c508ea7422025-08-20T02:45:14ZengF1000 Research LtdOpen Research Europe2732-51212025-02-01410.12688/openreseurope.17283.221253A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]Rigmor C. Baraas0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3259-7617Alina Kadlubsky1Rosemarie D.L.C Bernabe2Shereen Cox3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9674-8544Jonathan Adams4https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1984-3640Ellen Svarverud5University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Buskerud, NorwayOpen AR Cloud Europe gUG, Munich, GermanyUniversitetet i Oslo, Oslo, Oslo, NorwayUniversitetet i Oslo, Oslo, Oslo, NorwayUniversitetet i Oslo, Oslo, Oslo, NorwayUniversity of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Buskerud, NorwayThe use of extended reality (XR) / immersive technologies such as virtual, augmented, mixed reality and virtual worlds (Metaverse) raises issues of ethical concern. The various issues, if left unaddressed, may impact human wellbeing over time. Immersive technologies are used in entertainment, commerce, training, education, health, and the military among others. Subsequently, there is a broad spectrum of users with various degrees of competencies and vulnerabilities. Special attention regarding long-term effects of immersive technologies on children and the lack of consideration of inclusivity for all persons in society is essential. Several publications have highlighted ethical issues related to immersive technologies, and some have sought to address these issues by proposing solutions or approaches in the form of frameworks, codes of conduct or best practices. This review examined literature between 2000 and 2023 to identify proposed or adopted ethical frameworks, codes of conduct or best practices for immersive technologies. Qualitative research method was applied, using a scoping review approach. Twenty-eight papers were selected for analysis. Approximately 70% of the selected papers were published between 2020 and 2022. Using an inductive thematic analysis method, seven fundamental values and twenty-two corresponding principles were generated. The main values are respect for persons, well-being, safety, integrity and trust, justice, and responsiveness. The dominant principles identified are privacy, informed consent, responsibility, transparency, and freedom. The authors of the papers were predominantly academic researchers. The normative approaches to addressing ethical issues were organised into four domains: society and governance, industry, research/academic organisations, and individuals. Recommendations are: 1) development and/or application of laws or guidelines to ethical, legal, and social issues with immersive technologies; 2) adoption of inclusive approaches to design and development; 3) minimisation of risk for research participants; 4) empowerment of users of immersive technologies; and 5) promotion of responsibility and sincerity in the use of virtual space, especially in matters concerning identity and conduct.https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/4-74/v2Virtual reality augmented reality mixed reality ethics extended reality immersive technologieseng |
| spellingShingle | Rigmor C. Baraas Alina Kadlubsky Rosemarie D.L.C Bernabe Shereen Cox Jonathan Adams Ellen Svarverud A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] Open Research Europe Virtual reality augmented reality mixed reality ethics extended reality immersive technologies eng |
| title | A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] |
| title_full | A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] |
| title_fullStr | A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] |
| title_full_unstemmed | A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] |
| title_short | A scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] |
| title_sort | scoping review of the ethics frameworks describing issues related to the use of extended reality version 2 peer review 1 approved 2 approved with reservations |
| topic | Virtual reality augmented reality mixed reality ethics extended reality immersive technologies eng |
| url | https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/4-74/v2 |
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