Towards a Unified Definition of Social XR

Social Extended Reality (Social XR) is an evolving domain within Extended Reality (XR), encompassing immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Despite its growing significance in both research and practice, the term “Social XR” remains ambiguously defined, with inconsistent usage across academic and industry contexts. This paper seeks to address this challenge by synthesising existing definitions and interpretations of Social XR, aiming to encourage a clearer, unified conceptualisation. Through an analysis of current research, we identify key themes underpinning the concept of Social XR, such as shared immersive 3D environments, blending of virtual and physical elements, real-time multiuser interaction, and user representation. Thus, we propose a comprehensive definition of Social XR, aiming to stimulate further discussion, encouraging refinement toward a coherent understanding of the term. Additionally, we build on previous work and introduce the XR3C Model, for a better understanding of collaboration within immersive environments and its relation to Social XR.