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Is There Limitless Romance Behind a “Bunch of Ones and Zeros”? How Social VR Shapes Romantic Interaction and Its Design Implications

Bakk, Ágnes Karolina, Redmond, David, Tölgyesi, Borbála and Szita, Kata orcid logoORCID: 0000-0002-3177-9980 (2026) Is There Limitless Romance Behind a “Bunch of Ones and Zeros”? How Social VR Shapes Romantic Interaction and Its Design Implications. In: DRS 2026: Edinburgh, 8–12 June, Edinburgh, UK.

Abstract
This study explores how romantic relationships and expressions of intimacy unfold within social virtual reality (SVR) environments such as VRChat. Drawing on virtual ethnography and 26 semi-structured interviews, it examines how embodiment, anonymity, and technological affordances shape trust, emotional intimacy, and sexual expression. While often framed as taboo, these dynamics are central to understanding relational practices in immersive environments. Findings show that intimacy is experienced as both emotionally authentic and technologically mediated, emerging through practices such as roleplay, virtual touch, and shared activities. The study highlights how anonymity simultaneously enables openness and introduces challenges around trust, consent, and safety. By adopting a reflexive qualitative approach, this paper positions SVR as a critical site for investigating and designing for taboo topics, emphasizing that considerations of trust, safety, and consent are essential when designing for intimate experiences in immersive spaces.
Metadata
Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Event Type:Conference
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Social VR, intimacy, romantic relationship
Subjects:UNSPECIFIED
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health
DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Psychology
DCU Faculties and Schools
School, Faculty or Unit:Faculty of Science & Health > School of Psychology
Faculty of Science & Health
Published in: DRS2026: Edinburgh, 8–12 June, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. . DRS.
Publisher:DRS
Official URL:https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conferenc...
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:33557
Deposited On:20 Oct 2026 13:27 by Kata Szita . Last Modified 20 Oct 2026 13:27
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