With Facebook changing its name to ‘Meta’ and news outlets releasing investigative reports around the online safety of virtual worlds, you may have found yourself wondering “What is the Metaverse?” over the last few months. You aren’t alone! Around 33% of UK adults still aren’t sure what the Metaverse is.
We know that any new technology can be overwhelming and even confusing, especially if you’re still getting used to your latest phone update! Our online safety experts have created this overview to help you understand what the Metaverse is, how it can be used, and why it might be appealing to young people. Keep reading to learn what risks could be associated with it and our top tips for keeping those in your care safe.
What is the Metaverse?
The Metaverse is a shared virtual space for users across the internet to access content, play games, purchase items, and build environments. It incorporates digital experiences such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain into a constant virtual space.
Augmented Reality (AR) – a digitally created experience that enhances the physical world with computer-generated graphics. A popular example is the hit game Pokémon Go, in which players use their phone camera to ‘find’ Pokémon around them.
Blockchain – an online list of digital transaction record. It is essentially a virtual wallet that records purchases and sales, and enables digital money (called cryptocurrency) to exist.
Imagine you come home from work or school after a long day and login to the Metaverse. You’re able to access an ‘online universe’ where the limits of your day-to-day life disappear in an instant. Want to fly on a broomstick or own a pet lion? Want to play chess with someone from across the world or have a picnic in the Colosseum? You can do all of this in the Metaverse while also interacting with other people – even if you’re just in your living room.
The true aim of the metaverse is to transform the way that people connect with each other online. However, the Metaverse is largely a concept that is currently in development. It is not an individual product that is owned by one company. The term ‘metaverse’ is being used by companies involved in its development, like Meta (Facebook) and Google, but it is a wider network that hopes to eventually connect various platforms and virtual spaces.
We are likely to continue hearing more and more about the Metaverse as it grows and changes.
Is the Metaverse the same as VR?
You may have seen recent media coverage around the Metaverse and virtual reality. VR is a digitally created experience that completely immerses the user in a simulated world. This is typically facilitated by handheld controllers and a headset worn directly over the eyes. VR is a popular tool used to access and explore the Metaverse, but they are not the same thing. Essentially – if the Metaverse is an ocean, then VR is like a submarine used to explore it.
To find out more about Virtual Reality, check out our recent article.
How does the Metaverse work?
The main idea for the Metaverse is to create social experiences in an open world across the entire internet with unlimited users. This will involve virtual avatars, identities, and belongings that can be taken everywhere across the Metaverse. The hope is that every user will be able to digitally exist in their own customisable reality and explore others.
Avatar: a customisable icon or interactive character that represents a user in the digital world. This can be a two dimensional, like a user icon on a forum, or three dimensional, like Roblox game characters.
There are multiple ways to access the Metaverse in its current state. It’s accessible via computers, mobiles, and gaming consoles. For an immersive, ‘liveable’ experience, VR equipment is the most popular option, but it is not necessary to experience the Metaverse.
Actually, it’s likely that the child in your care has already accessed a Metaverse experience through platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, or Fortnite! On these platforms, users can chat and interact with other users’ avatars, as well as create and play a vast number of games – all on the same platform.
What does it allow young people to do?
- Create their own avatar to identify themselves in the Metaverse.
- Interact with other people (in avatar form) from all over the world.
- Explore and engage with different locations and places.
- Build their own products, structures, and worlds.
- Purchase products, structures, and worlds (for example, NFTs).
This study includes examples of harassment that may be upsetting to some readers.
