*Mikail Batu, Fatma Erdoğan

Abstract:

Metaverse is an interactive and multiplayer virtual universe created through the combination of virtual and augmented reality technologies, integrating the physical world with the virtual world. For digital natives, the metaverse is not only a realm of games and entertainment, but also a new platform where they can engage socially, enhance their creativity in education and work, as well as interact with multiple reflections closely resembling “real” life. In this platform, they can spend time, live with a twin identity aided by avatars, and encounter many reflections highly similar to real life. This study aims to examine how digital natives utilise the metaverse technology and explore its positive and negative impacts. For this study, a phenomenological design was employed using qualitative research methods. The use of qualitative analysis methods aims to uncover a detailed understanding of metaverse perceptions. In this regard, in-depth interviews were conducted face-to-face with 26 purposively sampled digital native individuals.

Keywords: Metaverse, digital natives, digital generation, social interaction, new society