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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, School of CS&IT, Jain Deemed-to-be University, Bangalore, India)

  • N. Kshetri
  • L. Hughes
  • Nripendra P. Rana

    (Qatar University)

  • A.M. Baabdullah
  • A.K. Kar
  • A. Koohang
  • S. Ribeiro-Navarrete
  • N. Belei
  • J. Balakrishnan
  • S. Basu
  • A. Behl

    (CVIT - CVIT - Center for Visual Information Technology [Hyderabad] - IIIT-H - International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad [Hyderabad])

  • G.H. Davies
  • Vincent Dutot

    (Métis Lab EM Normandie - EM Normandie - École de Management de Normandie = EM Normandie Business School)

  • R. Dwivedi
  • L. Evans
  • R. Felix
  • R. Foster-Fletcher
  • M. Giannakis
  • A. Gupta

    (Department of Civil Engineering, MNIT, Jaipur, India)

  • C. Hinsch
  • A. Jain
  • N. Jane Patel
  • T. Jung

    (Alfred Wegener Institute [Potsdam] - AWI - Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung = Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research = Institut Alfred-Wegener pour la recherche polaire et marine - Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft = Helmholtz Association)

  • S. Juneja
  • Q. Kamran
  • S. Mohamed Ab
  • N. Pandey
  • S. Papagiannidis
  • R. Raman
  • P.A. Rauschnabel
  • P. Tak
  • A. Taylor

    (FZU / CAS - Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences - CAS - Czech Academy of Sciences [Prague])

  • M.C. Tom Dieck
  • G. Viglia
  • Y. Wang

    (HKUST - Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • M. Yan

    (Zhejiang University [Hangzhou, China])

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\textendash 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. \textcopyright 2023, The Author(s).

Suggested Citation

  • Yogesh K. Dwivedi & N. Kshetri & L. Hughes & Nripendra P. Rana & A.M. Baabdullah & A.K. Kar & A. Koohang & S. Ribeiro-Navarrete & N. Belei & J. Balakrishnan & S. Basu & A. Behl & G.H. Davies & Vincent, 2023. "Exploring the Darkverse: A Multi-Perspective Analysis of the Negative Societal Impacts of the Metaverse," Post-Print hal-04292609, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04292609
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-023-10400-x
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04292609v1
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    Cited by:

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    2. Shin, SunKyung & Park, Jooyeun, 2025. "A study on Metaverse risk factors and user risk perception in South Korea," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(3).
    3. Ram, Pappu Kalyan & Pandey, Neeraj & Persis, Jinil, 2024. "Modeling social coupon redemption decisions of consumers in food industry: A machine learning perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    4. Nadeem, Waqar & Ashraf, Abdul Rehman & Shahid, Shadma, 2025. "What drives metaverse retail environments (non)usage? A behavioral reasoning theory perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    5. 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.
    6. 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).
    7. Pillai, Rajasshrie & Sivathanu, Brijesh & Rana, Nripendra P., 2025. "Unveiling virtual interactive marketplaces: Shopping motivations in the Metaverse through the lens of uses and gratifications theory," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. Singh, Gaganpreet & Roy, Sanjit K. & Apostolidis, Chrysostomos & Quaddus, Mohammed & Sadeque, Saalem, 2025. "Identifying the metaverse value recipe(s) affecting customer engagement and well-being in retailing," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).

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