Chapter 4: Ethics in the Metaverse: Examining the Effects and Consequences on Society

The metaverse’s rise is revolutionizing human–computer interaction, making it more intuitive, immersive, and fluid than before. This article looks at how human–computer relationships are evolving in the metaverse age. While there are numerous benefits to the new forms of interaction brought about by the metaverse, there are also several new social problems that require attention. Concerns regarding privacy, surveillance capitalism, pathologies associated with cyberspace, the intensification of pre-existing social problems, and environmental impacts are some of these challenges. The authors discuss potential rules that would be necessary to balance the expansion of the metaverse with preserving safety and security for the good of society, particularly in view of sustainable development objectives. The authors conclude with ethical design principles for building a sustainable metaverse that addresses these and other social concerns.