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Exploring the Darkverse: A Multi-Perspective Analysis of the Negative Societal Impacts of the Metaverse

Author

Listed:
  • Yogesh K. Dwivedi

    (Swansea University
    Pune & Symbiosis International (Deemed University))

  • Nir Kshetri

    (University of North Carolina at Greensboro)

  • Laurie Hughes

    (Swansea University)

  • Nripendra P. Rana

    (Qatar University)

  • Abdullah M. Baabdullah

    (King Abdulaziz University)

  • Arpan Kumar Kar

    (Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
    Indian Institute of Technology Delhi)

  • Alex Koohang

    (Middle Georgia State University)

  • Samuel Ribeiro-Navarrete

    (ESIC University
    University of Economics and Human Sciences)

  • Nina Belei

    (Radboud University Nijmegen)

  • Janarthanan Balakrishnan

    (National Institute of Technology)

  • Sriparna Basu

    (FORE School of Management)

  • Abhishek Behl

    (Management Development Institute)

  • Gareth H. Davies

    (Swansea University)

  • Vincent Dutot

    (EM Normandie Business School)

  • Rohita Dwivedi

    (Prin. L. N. Welingkar Insititute of Management Development and Research)

  • Leighton Evans

    (Swansea University)

  • Reto Felix

    (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)

  • Richard Foster-Fletcher

    (Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence (MKAI))

  • Mihalis Giannakis

    (Audencia Nantes Business School)

  • Ashish Gupta

    (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT))

  • Chris Hinsch

    (Grand Valley State University)

  • Animesh Jain

    (Government Relations & Policy at MKAI)

  • Nina Jane Patel

    (Kabuni and University of Reading)

  • Timothy Jung

    (Manchester Metropolitan University
    Kyung Hee University)

  • Satinder Juneja

    (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT))

  • Qeis Kamran

    (Department of International Management
    University of Twente)

  • Sanjar Mohamed AB

    (Eikonikos)

  • Neeraj Pandey

    (National Institute of Industrial Engineering)

  • Savvas Papagiannidis

    (Newcastle University Business School)

  • Ramakrishnan Raman

    (Pune & Symbiosis International (Deemed University))

  • Philipp A. Rauschnabel

    (Universität Der Bundeswehr München)

  • Preeti Tak

    (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT))

  • Alexandra Taylor

    (Manchester Metropolitan University)

  • M. Claudia tom Dieck

    (Manchester Metropolitan University)

  • Giampaolo Viglia

    (University of Portsmouth
    University of Aosta Valley)

  • Yichuan Wang

    (The University of Sheffield)

  • Meiyi Yan

    (Film Producer of Jindian Warner Pictures Beijing Co. LTD)

Abstract

The Metaverse has the potential to form the next pervasive computing archetype that can transform many aspects of work and life at a societal level. Despite the many forecasted benefits from the metaverse, its negative outcomes have remained relatively unexplored with the majority of views grounded on logical thoughts derived from prior data points linked with similar technologies, somewhat lacking academic and expert perspective. This study responds to the dark side perspectives through informed and multifaceted narratives provided by invited leading academics and experts from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. The metaverse dark side perspectives covered include: technological and consumer vulnerability, privacy, and diminished reality, human–computer interface, identity theft, invasive advertising, misinformation, propaganda, phishing, financial crimes, terrorist activities, abuse, pornography, social inclusion, mental health, sexual harassment and metaverse-triggered unintended consequences. The paper concludes with a synthesis of common themes, formulating propositions, and presenting implications for practice and policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Yogesh K. Dwivedi & Nir Kshetri & Laurie Hughes & Nripendra P. Rana & Abdullah M. Baabdullah & Arpan Kumar Kar & Alex Koohang & Samuel Ribeiro-Navarrete & Nina Belei & Janarthanan Balakrishnan & Sripa, 2023. "Exploring the Darkverse: A Multi-Perspective Analysis of the Negative Societal Impacts of the Metaverse," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 2071-2114, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:25:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s10796-023-10400-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-023-10400-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhucheng Shao & Jessica Sze Yin Ho & Garry Wei-Han Tan & Keng-Boon Ooi & Prianka Sarker & Yogesh K. Dwivedi, 2024. "How celebrity attributes damage customer–brand relationship in live streaming commerce: a dark side," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 31(6), pages 593-615, November.
    3. Aysan, Ahmet Faruk & Gozgor, Giray & Nanaeva, Zhamal, 2024. "Technological perspectives of Metaverse for financial service providers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    4. Eleonora Pantano & Jamie Carlson & Konstantina Spanaki & George Christodoulides, 2024. "Guest editorial: More supportive or more distractive? Investigating the negative effects of technology at the customer interface," Post-Print hal-04478502, HAL.
    5. Rabab Ali Abumalloh & Mehrbakhsh Nilashi & Keng Boon Ooi & Garry Wei-Han & Tat-Huei Cham & Yogesh K. Dwivedi & Laurie Hughes, 2024. "The adoption of metaverse in the retail industry and its impact on sustainable competitive advantage: moderating impact of sustainability commitment," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 342(1), pages 5-46, November.

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