Cognitive Enhancement and Brain-Computer Interfaces: Potential Boundaries and Risks

Could virtual reality applications pose real risks to children and adolescents? A systematic review of ethical issues and concerns

“…This quantitative research focused on students’ characteristics and factors that affect learning experience when playing 2D or 3D SGs. The results revealed that other learners’ skills beyond demographics such as self-regulation, spatial cognition and mental rotation should be considered 20 Kaimara et al ( 2020a , b ) Research article * * The main objective focused on the correlation of the University students’ views that were sharing common characteristics, like gender, information and communication technology skills, game playing experience, and specific scientific background with factors that related to the gameplay as well as the learning effectiveness 21 Kenny and Gunter ( 2011 ) Research article * Video games are one of the fastest-growing elements of informal, virtual learning. In this article, the authors presented a design and evaluation rubric that appears to overcome many of the shortcomings in educational games currently on the market 22 Kim et al ( 2020 ) Research article * In this paper, the authors introduced and demonstrated the benefits of a new type of treatment, namely, an eye-contact game that successfully exploits mixed reality technology with head-mounted display.…”

“…GAS scores are associated with intensive use and certain problematic aspects of individuals' personalities and social lives 4 Granic et al ( 2014 ) Review article * * The authors summarized the research on the positive effects of playing video games, focusing on four main domains: cognitive, motivational, emotional, and social. They proposed some candidate mechanisms by which playing video games may foster real-world psychosocial benefits 5 Kaimara et al ( 2020a , b ) Review article * * * The author’s main objective was to research brain-computer interfaces (BCI) concrete components and potential advances as well as depict potential limitations while using technological devices. Within this context, requirements, advantages, possible addiction risks, and boundaries regarding the specifications for BCI and technology are discussed 6 Kardefelt-Winther ( 2017 ) Review article * * * Videogame playing was associated with prosocial behaviour, life satisfaction, and lower levels of conduct, emotional and peer problems, and hyperactivity.…”

“…A literature review revealed a correlation between the Internet, VR and gaming with possible psychological and psychiatric disorders. However, it remains unclear whether Internet use itself is the causal factor for increasing symptoms and impairment or simply a reflection of underlying difficulties (Weiss et al 2011;Kuss et al 2017;Steve and Grubb 2018;Paulus et al 2018;Kaimara et al 2020b).…”

“…Research findings on the effects of VRTs and gaming remain contradictory. On the one hand, studies are proving the positive impact on cognitive, motivational, emotional, social development, and enhancement of both learning and training tasks (Shaffer et al 2005 ; Van Eck 2006 ; Gee 2008 ; Dalgarno and Lee 2010 ; Granic et al 2014 ; Fowler 2015 ; Passig et al 2016 ; Palaus et al 2017 ; Molina-Carmona et al 2018 ; Kaimara and Deliyannis 2019 ; Mayer 2019 ; Makransky et al 2019 ; Checa and Bustillo 2020 ; Kaimara et al 2020b ; Chang et al 2020 ; Pallavicini and Pepe 2020 ) while other researchers argued that VR and games have the potential to elicit strong negative emotional consequences (Lavoie et al 2020 ), could lead to distraction or even addiction, sleep patterns disruption, cardio-metabolic deficiencies, obesity, etc. (Calvert et al 2013 ; Tate et al 2013 ; Turel et al 2016 ; Thierer and Camp 2017 ; Fuller et al 2017 ; Kenney and Gortmaker 2017 ; Turel et al 2017 ).…”

A Critical Perspective on NeuroRights: Comments Regarding Ethics and Law

“…Right now, neurotechnological research is being conducted in this area toward enhancing the user's cognitive capacities in a variety of tasks (Valeriani et al, 2017 ; Cinel et al, 2019 ; Belkacem et al, 2020 ; Kaimara et al, 2020 ). However, we find it problematic to create a new right that promotes access to enhancement technologies, as this could lead to possible transhumanist applications that should be treated with caution.…”