Could Virtual World Spark Real-World Crime Rate?
Could Virtual World be a catalyst for increased real-world crime?
The Potential Increase in Crime Connection
Establishing the potential crime connection between the virtual and real worlds is the first natural step. What the reality may offer is quite different from what people could be picturing. It's quite unlikely that the world will witness a wave of mass shootings done by people with virtual reality goggles on and a real gun in hand playing a game.
The arguments for a possibility in crime increments stem from the following.
Easier Radicalization Platforms
The first connection comes in the form of persons using virtual reality as a den for radicalizing people. The rise of ISIS exposed the world to a sad reality; social media platforms were the preferred recruitment arenas.
Terrorists simply open accounts, scout for their targets, and use the kind of lingua and persona that appeals to them. Yet the average social media website of the present time is arguably a less effective networking platform than the metaverse's possibilities.
A more immersive virtual world where realistic 3D graphics give the perfect impressions could be a lot more convincing. In the wrong hands, radicalization rates could rise rapidly, and so would crime in the real world.
Possible Training Grounds
The rise of the military metaverse has proven that VR is quite possibly the best training ground. The two leading global superpowers, the US and China, are already locked in a cutthroat competition on who will launch the first metaverse. The huge potential improvements in soldier calibre as a result of better-tailored training capabilities seem too good to ignore
And that's where the problems begin. There are no safeguards that prevent I'll intended persons from benefiting from the better training opportunities. If someone wishes to execute the perfect bank robbery, an exact 3D replica of the targeted bank is the best training space.
Robberies or terrorist attacks could end up being executed too perfectly. Law enforcement could find themselves where nabbing such crime is increasingly improbable.
Improved Communication Networks for Existing Crime Groups
Improvements in the virtual world present an opportunity for better social connectivity among people. With the metaverse gradually taking shape, the 3D world will transform communication into a very realistic experience. The sci-fi envisionment of vast portions of the population constantly plugged in may yet come to pass.
Unfortunately, such communication options will be available for members of the crime world. Communication is very crucial when executing any activity as a group, which is what the virtual world will offer. Such possibilities would make certain crimes that may have been impossible easier to commit, driving crime rates in the real world.
Universal Connection May Reduce Authority Response Times
The picture of a world that has achieved universal connection seems harmless. Most of the population donning VR goggles, immersed in their virtual world activities most of the time, doesn't sound too problematic.
Problems, however, exist for authorities. Once connected, a user is blind to the real world's on-goings. A robber moving in to steal will be like taking candy from a baby. The victim won't even know what's happening and thus won't alert authorities on time. It could drive up crime rates.
The Other Side of The Coin
But there is another perception of how virtual reality relates to crime. It's that it may yet cut crime rates in several ways;
Improved Cognitive Abilities for Authorities
The saying goes, 'it takes a thief to catch a thief. The virtual world could massively aid the authorities in this sector. By using ample storage of theft footage for offenders, VR could help map out their Cognitive Scripts. Dr. Claire Nee's interviews at prisons concluded that It is something all offenders develop over time.
Virtual reality could then be exploited to develop the perfect training virtual world for authorities. Such a helping hand could very well dissuade crime since the perpetrators will always have higher livelihoods of failure.
Better Sensitization to the Populace
The same 3D footage can do more than just help nab that elusive robber. It can help better sensitize would-be victims of what's the expected mannerisms of crime perpetrators.
As a result, a business owner or homeowner learns how to make their properties burglar-proof. A school reduces the ability of a terrorist to get to victims. Crime averted.
Improved Rehabilitation Techniques
Even more impactful to crime reduction is the possibility of rehabilitating offenders more effectively. Likely, offenders would leave a wealth of their information in 3D in the virtual world.
Authorities will find the time to map when it went wrong much easier and better engineer a change in behaviour of offenders. More and more crime perpetrators would be taken out of the streets for good with more effective rehabilitation programs.
Takeaways
The virtual world is like any other innovation out there. It comes with its merits as well as demerits.
On one hand, easier radicalization, better training resources, and improved communication assets are detrimental. Crime could rapidly increase as a result. On the other hand, enhanced cognitive abilities to authorities, better sensitization to people, and more effective rehabilitation dent crime rates.
It is impossible to tell which side gets an edge over the other. The virtual world is still being developed, with neither possibility being fully explored. Only time will tell.