doi: 10.18178/ijssh.2026.16.1.1271
Ethical Concerns in Designing and Applying Virtual Reality Applications in the Social Science Field
Iman A. Alshathri
- Deanship of First Common Year, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Manuscript received May 30, 2025
- accepted September 18, 2025
- published January 30, 2026
Abstract
Many researchers recognize that Virtual Reality (VR) can generate new knowledge through immersive experiences that allow users to engage with different perspectives. However, when VR content is designed solely by those in power without including marginalized groups, it can lead to unfair decision-making and misrepresentation. This highlights the importance of focusing on ethics and morals, especially when creating VR content. This study investigates ethical concerns in applying VR technology within the Social Science (SS) field. By interviewing experts from both the VR and SS fields, the research uncovers some ethical concerns when designing VR applications, emphasizing the importance of involving target populations to ensure accurate representation. The findings highlight the potential of VR to foster empathy and understanding while cautioning against the risks of stereotyping. Ultimately, the study advocates for an inclusive and ethically aware approach to VR design, aiming to create meaningful experiences that reflect the complexities of social issues.
Keywords
- virtual reality
- ethical concerns
- social science
- design
How to Cite
Iman A. Alshathri, "Ethical Concerns in Designing and Applying Virtual Reality Applications in the Social Science Field," International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 14-17, 2026. https://doi.org/ 10.18178/ijssh.2026.16.1.1271
Copyright & License
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).