Perceptions of the Metaverse at the Peak of the Hype Cycle: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Turkish University Students

During the height of the hype in late 2021, the Metaverse drew more attention from around the world than ever before. It promised new ways to interact with people in three-dimensional digital spaces. This cross-sectional study investigates the attitudes, perceptions, and predictors of the willingness to engage with the Metaverse among 381 Turkish university students surveyed in December 2021. The study employs Fisher's Exact Tests and binary logistic regression to assess the influence of demographic characteristics, prior digital experience, and perception-based factors. The results demonstrate that demographic factors, such as gender, educational attainment, faculty association, social media engagement, and previous virtual reality exposure, do not significantly forecast the propensity to participate in the Metaverse. Instead, the main things that affect people's intentions to adopt are how they see things. Belief in the Metaverse's capacity to revolutionize societal frameworks, especially human rights, surfaced as the most significant positive predictor of willingness. Conversely, apprehensions regarding psychological harm, framed as a possible 'cyber syndrome' represented a significant obstacle to participation. Perceptions of technical compatibility and ethical considerations showed complex effects, showing that optimism, uncertainty, and indifference affect willingness in different ways. In general, the results show that early adoption of the Metaverse is based on how people see it, not on their demographics. The research establishes a historically informed benchmark of user skepticism and prudent assessment during the advent of Web 3.0, underscoring the necessity of addressing collective psychological, ethical, and normative issues to promote future engagement.