Tackling teen isolation through a virtual reality ‘Social Buddy’
PhD candidate in Computer Science, Hansi Udapola, is researching how conversational virtual characters (NPCs) in social virtual reality (VR) can enhance social interaction for teenagers aged 13–16 who are experiencing prolonged social isolation from family and friends.
Social VR allows users to meet, interact, and engage in activities in a shared online space despite being physically distant—providing a sense that everyone is together.
Hansi’s initial research canvassed healthcare professionals and found that teens dealing with serious illnesses and frequent hospital stays often missed being with friends in person and struggled to stay socially active. Some tried to stay connected through online games, which helped guide her research.
“I began my investigation by exploring how Social VR can make online interactions feel more real, immersive, enjoyable, and socially interactive for teens. I focused on making these interactions more fun and engaging by using game-like elements. Through literature reviews, I found that NPCs could act as social helpers which led me to focus on this in my research.
“Since there was little guidance on how to use these characters effectively in collaborative gaming tasks, I worked directly with teens who maintained a remote connection with their friends to design these characters.
“Based on the insights gathered, we developed a Social VR app called ‘Social Buddy.’ I am currently evaluating the app's design features which incorporate NPCs, and its impact on improving social interaction experiences. The goal is to help teens stay connected with their friends, even when they can’t be together in person.”
Hansi decided to pursue her PhD on this topic while experiencing her own emotional challenges during COVID-19.
“Like many people, I felt isolated and confined, which was tough. But it also made me think about those who deal with this kind of isolation all the time, especially teenagers with serious illnesses who spend long periods in hospitals or away from friends. Adolescence is a crucial time for building friendships, and being cut off from friends can harm their social and mental well-being. My experience during the pandemic made me realise how hard this must be for them, and that inspired me to find ways to help through my research.”
After completing her degree, Hansi hopes to make a real difference in people’s lives through technology.
“I'm passionate about creating solutions that help others, and I’m excited to continue working in the industry on research and development projects. My goal is to keep learning and applying new insights to develop products that truly improve the lives of those who need it most. I want to take the knowledge and skills I’ve gained from my PhD and use them to create impactful technologies that make life better for people.”
Find out more about Hansi’s research.
If you are a guardian of a 13-16-year-old who maintains a friendship through remote communication, and you're interested in having your child participate in this research study, or if you know someone who might be, please complete or share this form: https://vuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0j6JJLL8FU7HHuu
Participants interested in joining the study can also email hansi.udapola@vuw.ac.nz.
Applications close on 15 October 2024.
By participating in this study, teens will have the chance to connect with their remote friends in VR and play a fun game called ‘Hot or Cold’. Each participant will receive a $20 gift card as koha for their participation in this study.