Conclusion

This chapter synthesises the book’s exploration of social VR platform governance, advocating for inclusive immersive environments in which the rights and needs of all participants are respected. It presents five key principles essential for achieving this goal: promoting pro-social cultures; prioritising prevention over reaction; embedding safety by design; ensuring user control and choice; and upholding platform responsibility and accountability. Whilst the rapid evolution of social VR presents barriers to immediate regulatory and policy interventions, the proposed principles offer a durable framework for addressing social VR's governance challenges as the technology evolves, aimed at guiding regulators, policymakers and platforms towards safer and more inclusive virtual spaces.