If you are regularly online and have your finger on the pulse, you’ve likely come across the term “Metaverse.” It’s the buzzword in the tech sphere now and there is lots of hype around the whole concept, particularly when Facebook decided to rename itself “Meta” late last year.
So, what is the Metaverse, exactly? The Metaverse doesn’t exist – yet. However, it refers to an evolution of the internet that combines augmented and virtual reality to create an immersive virtual world, forever changing the way we consume information on the web.
Facebook, Microsoft, and Nvidia are all working on creating their own versions of the Metaverse. So, it begs the question: what could stop society from widely accepting and adopting the Metaverse? There are some common concerns that people currently have, as most of us do when something is still unknown.
No on and off switch
Experts argue that a virtual world will have no “off” switch. It will always be on and accessible, like social media, but on a more intense scale. The barrage of content and information may be overwhelming and exhausting, but just as we take time away from social media, we will simply have to learn to take time away from the Metaverse as well by setting healthy boundaries.
Privacy Issues
The specialized hardware that will be used to create the Metaverse will gather and use information about users to connect them to the virtual world. There is a concern that personal information may be collected and stored, making it vulnerable to security breaches and data leaks. This is not a new problem as most websites and social networks already store personal information, which can be leaked if the sites are hacked. It is a risk every website user takes when accessing the internet.
Addictions to virtual reality
Some experts are concerned a virtual world could undermine reality. People could prefer spending their days in a virtual world rather than facing the real world. Again, this is not a new problem as there are many people with addictions to online gaming, social media, and other online activities. Exploring a virtual reality can be healthy and exciting if there is still balance in your life with time set aside for work, socializing and hobbies.
Mental Health
There are concerns a virtual world could be harmful to those vulnerable to mental health or self-esteem issues. A virtual world allows people to project a perfect version of themselves and then once back in the real world, they may struggle with accepting their flaws. It is important to remember everyone is flawed and nobody’s life is perfect so an escape into a virtual world can be a nice break for anyone, but it is important to always remain in touch with reality.
Misinformation
Like with any online platform, there is a risk of small groups of conspiracy theorists and pot-stirrers spreading false information. The Metaverse will be no exception. However, the developers of the Metaverse are already putting things in place to regulate misinformation campaigns to ensure the Metaverse does not contribute to societal divides and tensions.
It remains to be seen
The Metaverse will simply be a more intricate version and expansion of the internet as we know it today. It presents similar challenges that social media and the Web already do today.
While these problems may be slightly more complex in the context of a virtual world, they are not to be feared. If the developers of the Metaverse ensure it is a highly regulated and inclusive environment, everyone can safely enjoy it. Much of the fear and hesitancy to accept a Metaverse stem from a lack of information and the unknown, so the more we learn about the Metaverse, the less hesitant society will become.
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