META-TOO invites young people to think about the power of speaking up and supporting others in virtual worlds.
In virtual worlds, just as in everyday life, we may witness someone experiencing unwanted, uncomfortable, or inappropriate behaviour. In those moments, an important question arises: What would you do?
Our latest META-TOO awareness material explores the bystander effect : the tendency to hesitate or remain passive when we witness a difficult situation, particularly when we are unsure whether it is our place to intervene.
Being a bystander, however, does not mean being powerless. Even a small action can make a meaningful difference. Asking someone whether they need help, speaking up when it is safe to do so, using the safety and reporting tools available on a platform, or seeking support from others can all contribute to a safer environment.
Small choices can make virtual worlds safer
Through an engaging visual scenario, users are encouraged to consider different possible responses and reflect on what their own first step might be. The aim is not to suggest that there is always one perfect response, but to build awareness, confidence and a sense of shared responsibility.
This is particularly important as social interaction increasingly takes place in immersive and virtual environments. Creating safer digital spaces is not only about technology and platform safeguards; it is also about the culture we create together and how we respond when we see another person being treated badly.
The message at the heart of the campaign is simple:
You saw it. Speak up. Make a difference.
Every action counts. By recognising harmful or unwanted behaviour and choosing an appropriate way to respond, we can all help make virtual worlds safer and more inclusive for everyone.
Explore the META-TOO interactive story and discover how different choices can change the way a situation develops: https://chess1.karpathos.net/dev/story-player/73709f2b557d24b1938e2ec42f02f6b7
