Towards a humane metaverse: Challenges and op

The metaverse, an emerging digital universe blurring the lines between reality and virtuality, offers a view into a future where human interaction transcends physical boundaries. A new Special Issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking titled “Towards a Humane Metaverse: Challenges and Opportunities,” explores the metaverse. Click here to read the issue now.

In their Editorial, Guest Editors Giuseppe Riva, PhD, from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Brenda Wiederhold, PhD, from Virtual Reality Medical Center, Scripps Memorial Hospital, and Editor-in-Chief of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, and Daniela Villani, PhD, from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, state: “As we venture ‘Towards a Humane Metaverse,’ we must navigate the intricate interplay of technology and humanity, shaping a future where the virtual realm enhances, rather than diminishes, the richness of the human experience.”

The issue includes the article titled “Searching for the Metaverse: Neuroscience of Physical and Digital Communities,” by Giuseppe Riva, PhD, Brenda Wiederhold, PhD, and Fabrizia Mantovani, PhD, from University of Milano Bicocca. According to the authors, “virtual and augmented reality—the major technologies underlying the Metaverse—can engage the same neurobiological and cognitive ‘we-mode’ processes as real-world environments. If the many flaws in this technology are fixed, it might encourage people to engage in more meaningful and constructive interactions in online communities.”

“A Humane Social Learning-Informed Metaverse: Cultivating Positive Technology Experiences in Digital Learning Environments” is the title of the article contributed by Andrew Villamil, from Claremont Graduate University, and Sará King, from University of California San Diego. The authors propose the need to expand our understanding about Social Learning and current technology design principles. They examine existing issues in the design of digital spaces, provide a positive developmental psychology framework that informs further research, and propose solutions for researchers, educators, policymakers, and caregivers as they navigate healthy technology use and predominant mental health issues in the 21^st century.

Justin Thomas, PhD and Fahad AlBeyahi, PhD, from King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture Dhahran, and Mohammad Amin Kuhail, PhD, from Zayed University, coauthored the article titled “The Metaverse, Religious Practice and Wellbeing: A Narrative Review.” The article explores how the metaverse might impact religion/religious practices. “It is possible that rather than distancing or distracting people from religion, future online technology (the metaverse) might make it more accessible and desirable,” state the authors. “However, within some religious traditions, certain aspects of religious life (e.g., congregational prayer) are resistant to virtualization/digitalization on doctrinal and jurisprudential grounds.”

About the Journal
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published monthly online with Open Access options and in print that explores the psychological and social issues surrounding the Internet and interactive technologies.  Complete tables of contents and a sample issue may be viewed on the Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking website.

About the Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a global media company dedicated to creating, curating, and delivering impactful peer-reviewed research and authoritative content services to advance the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences, specialized clinical medicine, and public health and policy. For complete information, please visit the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. website.