Virtual Technologies in Everyday Life of Young People: Fan Fiction Analysis

In order to assess image of VR technologies formed among young people, and the main ideas of young people associated with the use of VR helmets/glasses in everyday life, texts (fan fiction) about VR technologies on the most popular fan fiction site, as well as comments under publications and videos about VR helmet/glasses posted on the Internet were examined. Three types of attitudes towards VR technologies have been identified: a most common conditional critical acceptance, the somewhat less common unconditional be uncritical acceptance, the even less common unconditional by uncritical denial and the rare conditional critical denial. The majority of commentators have a positive attitude towards virtual technologies and the use of VR helmets/glasses, while there are more motivated positions than reasoned ones. It has been established that VR helmet/glasses are a long-awaited technology among young people, and expectations are associated with three desires: to increase involvement while playing computer games; to maximize pleasure when viewing (mostly pornography); to test onerself in risky situations.