Photo credits - (Felton Davis at Flickr)

My story starts in cyberspace. Virtual reality does not always require the user to wear a bulky headset or an expensive pair of spy glasses. Sometimes, it lies just behind the monitor. As a ten-year-old, I began navigating the complexities and potential perils of our increasingly digital world. For years, I faced not only the challenges universally associated with the internet but also a unique burden: the relentless trolling that has infiltrated every corner and made it difficult to exist, even in the safety of the real world.

There is no excuse for the things that I have witnessed from the age of ten all the way up to today. Trolls and obscene content creators such as adult film stars, "rule 34" artists, and other filmmakers break the law with no reprimand, yet the threat still looms for those who cannot afford to make it with the big shots or the pros. Young people are harming themselves at rates never seen before, yet criminal violence (including self-defense) is almost at an all-time low. Where are all of these obscene criminals spending their time and ill-gotten gains?

Now, as technology advances, a new threat is emerging: Virtual Reality adult entertainment and virtual prisons. While it may seem innovative, it's prone to abuse and misuse in the hands of those with malicious intentions. These niches are also heavily influenced by opinionated legal decisions, threatening to perpetuate injustice and unwarranted shaming on digital natives like myself. 

Studies show that cyber-bullying leaves people, especially youngsters, vulnerable to a multitude of mental health issues (Psychology Today, 2020). This looming threat of virtual reality adult entertainment and virtual prisons only enhance this vulnerability by an enormous extent. These industries aim to exploit users, breaching their rights and degrading their mental health, an issue that affects 264 million people globally (World Health Organization, 2017).

Virtual reality can be a miraculous tool, enhancing education, healthcare, and social connectivity. But encompassing adult entertainment and virtually imprisoning individuals not only damages the image and potential of these game-changing tech advancements, it also poses severe ethical dilemmas.

It's time to take a stand. Millions of young minds worldwide are in danger of falling victim to these aspects of virtual reality. We need to act now.

Join me in urging policymakers to prohibit virtual prisons in this immersive technology. No child, adolescent, or adult should have to worry about these potential threats. It's about creating a safer, more respectful digital environment. Sign the petition today and make your voice heard for the greater good, for yourself, and for the future of our digital world.

Thank you for your consideration! Every little bit helps. I hope that this petition starter has been relatable, and that you are willing to share it with others. You can find a list of my other petitions on my Linktree.

www.linktr.ee/zayneharbison

If you want to get the conversation going online, you can tag me using my handle @zayneharbison or by using the hashtag #ZaynePetitions