Who Is Invited to the Metaverse? Analyzing Media Coverage of an Emerging Virtual World

• DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2022.0394
• Publication Date: 2024-01-10T15:04:11Z
• Authors: Sophie Maddocks; Jaclyn A. Siegel; Asia A. Eaton; Shivam Agarwal
• Keywords: Metaverse

As a new technology awaiting widespread immersive usage, public awareness and understanding of the metaverse is likely significantly shaped by its coverage in media. This study explored how framed U.S. news media coverage, including who targets as users, reflects on this could shape attitudes engagement with metaverse. Specifically, asked: which people institutions are included excluded from metaverse? To answer question, systematic content analysis 526 articles was conducted, drawing three databases. Findings reveal that frames corporate space for those buying power: investors, experts, consumers. Users without power users marginalized groups were rarely considered coverage. Despite this, most descriptive, only 11 percent critiquing space. These findings raise broad questions about commodification, exclusion, inequality