Through the eyes of a bystander: The promise and challenges of VR as a bullying prevention tool

Two studies explored the potential of virtual reality (VR) in bystander-focused bullying prevention campaigns. An experiment compared responses to three versions of a bullying scenario in which users (N = 78) were placed in the perspective of a bystander: customized VR, non-customized VR, and video. Measures included empathy, attitudes toward bullying victims and bullying, anticipated future behavior, presence, and other perceptions of bullying. The only significant effects observed were on feelings of empathy, with scores in the video condition higher than in the other two conditions, and on perceptions of bullying as a problem in participants' schools, again with scores highest in the video condition. These results were further explored in a follow-up qualitative focus group study (N = 10). Findings from both studies suggest that to elicit empathy-related responses, VR simulations should use photorealistic graphics, employ interactive features, and make customization prominent and carefully tailored. Lessons learned could inform the use of virtual reality in future campaigns.