Members of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom have expressed the need for legislation that encompasses activities in the metaverse as part of the Online Safety Bill.
During a parliamentary session on July 12, lawmakers deliberated on whether the bill should address potential harmful content that users may encounter in virtual environments like the metaverse.
The focus of their concerns primarily revolved around the well-being of children who could be exposed to objectionable material online.
Timothy Clement-Jones, a member of the House of Lords, emphasized that the metaverse and its associated environments should not be exempt from the scope of the Online Safety Bill.
He argued that failure to include these elements within the bill’s purview would be a disservice to children and vulnerable adults, implying a dereliction of duty.
Several members of the U.K. Parliament supported this viewpoint, highlighting that the bill’s current language includes “anything communicated by means of an internet service.”
Stephen Parkinson, another member, suggested that this definition could encompass not only text and images provided by other users but also virtual objects and avatars present in the metaverse.
Legislation pertaining to the regulation and safeguarding of online activities varies across countries and is still evolving alongside the increasing adoption of new technologies.
In the United States, advocacy groups have urged Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to restrict minors from using its metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds.
Concerns regarding harassment and privacy violations have been raised as potential risks associated with the platform.
The Online Safety Bill in the United Kingdom is scheduled for further debate in the House of Lords on July 17. Before becoming law, the bill will need to undergo a third reading in the House, during which final amendments can be proposed and considered.
The inclusion of provisions covering the metaverse within the bill’s framework would signify the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of individuals in virtual spaces.
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