The “VIRRAC-Network” - Youth Safety in Emerging Technologies project is an innovative initiative, funded by the REPHRAIN Research Centre, led by the Institute for Connected Communities at the University of East London. It builds on the Virtual Reality Risks Against Children (VIRRAC) research project led by Professor Julia Davidson OBE, Director of the Institute of Connected Communities (University of East London) and Professor Elena Martellozzo, Associate Director at the Centre for Abuse & Trauma Studies (Middlesex University), with crucial support from Dr Ruby Farr, Paula Bradbury and Boglarka Meggyesfalvi.

 

This project is dedicated to enhancing the safety of young people in rapidly evolving immersive digital environments by building an interdisciplinary network of experts from academia, industry, and public policy. The project focuses on addressing the unique risks posed by emerging technologies such as the metaverse or virtual reality. 

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Its key activities are hosting a public webinar to share insights and raise awareness, conducting collaborative research to identify safety challenges, and developing evidence-based strategies to protect young users online. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and engaging with diverse stakeholders, the VIRRAC-Network project aims to lead the way in safeguarding young people in the digital age, focusing on their presence in immersive, multidimensional online environments. We invite you to join us in this critical mission to ensure a safer online world for the next generation.