Beyond Affirmative Consent: Creating Alternative Models for Consent to Computer-Mediated Sexual Activity in the Context of VR Dating

Despite the pervasiveness of computer mediation in nonconsensual sexual activity, there is an absence of consent models that explicitly prescribe how consent to sex should be asked for, given, and denied when mediated by technology. HCI literature has advocated for the adoption of affirmative consent (“yes means yes”); however, this model was created in 1991 without consideration for computers and has been historically underutilized. Through a speculative study of VR dating with 16 women and LGBTQIA+ stakeholders, we contribute archetypes of four new computer-mediated consent models for sexual activity. These include 1) visual consent through AR/VR rather than verbal dialogue, 2) agent-mediated consent where AI agents communicate consent on behalf of sexual partners, 3) a two-layer consent process called consent-to-stimulus, and 4) environmental consent where virtual environments scaffold behaviors that can(not) be consented to. We conclude by reflecting on which models could potentially supplant affirmative consent to better mitigate computer-mediated sexual violence and enrich sexual experience. Content warning: This paper discusses forms of sexual violence including rape.