Outside of artificial intelligence, VR (or virtual reality) has become a Sci-FI creation that is not so fictional anymore. Yet, while everyone is talking about the effects that AI is having on social media and our future, no one seems to be talking about the same for VR. Meanwhile, Meta, Apple, Google, Microsoft and many other companies are creating new VR headsets that allow people to interact (nearly) face to face in a virtual world! If this is a major project that tech companies are pursuing, how might VR influence social media?

Increased immersion on social media

When Facebook changed its name to Meta, Mark Zuckerberg told Inc.com that “The metaverse is the next frontier in connecting people, just like social networking was when we got started.” According to the creator of social media as we think of it today, VR is the next step.

One of the biggest things that VR can contribute is the ability to immerse someone in the world they’re in. When wear a Meta quest, you see someone in front of you that you can have a conversation with. Videos and video chats are great, but adding that extra immersion will enrich virtual interaction. Without delays are the appearance of separation, it will be almost identical to face to face conversation.

VR’s affect on privacy concerns

One negative affect that VR could have on social media is by introducing new issues with privacy. This is already a major issue with technology, so as technology advances it’s important to be careful with your information. According to the Washington Post, Meta has already admitted to data tracking via hand movement.

With the technology that is currently in existence and what is soon to come, experts say that it is very possible for companies to track eye movement to see what we focus on for advertisers. It is possible that we will soon see new movements for privacy and protection in the VR world.

New realms of possibility in company communication

Potential positives and negatives aside, a present reality for VR and social media is that they offer endless creativity for companies that want to connect with their audience. While privacy concerns are very real, VR offers companies the opportunity to connect with their audiences in a new way. Social media is already trending towards companies that converse with their audience, thus if the barrier of text was eliminated, the connection would become much richer.

VR offers everyone the space to create new adventures to have and worlds to live in. With this new technology there is room for everyone to endlessly experiment and discover. Find the fun and connect with a new audience!

As this new technology becomes a larger part of our society, let’s not run away from it. Innovation is going to come no matter what. Instead, let’s seek to understand it so we can keep ourselves safe, but find new possibilities in a new world!