The Metaverse can Help Bridge the Digital Divide

Ever since the advent of computer mass-ownership, there has been a digital divide; those who have and routinely use connective technology and those who don’t.  

While poverty, ethnicity, and low-connectivity areas are often cited as being a major factor in the Digital Divide, the “age-related” sector is far larger and of greater concern. The age-related divide refers to the gap in access to, and being proficient with digital technologies between younger and older generations. It essentially means that older adults often have significantly less access to the internet and digital services compared to younger people, creating a disparity in their ability to participate in online activities, and access the wealth of information available.

This really became an issue with the inception of the internet as a means for communication and entertainment and then, as Web 2.0 became reality, shopping, gaming, and all the other means of interaction made it the greatest tool imaginable. But it was one that was predominantly the domain of younger and tech-savvy sections of the population. To be outside of that digital revolution was to be seriously missing out, and the speed with which technology changed meant that anyone who wasn’t a regular user would just fall away even quicker. 

There seemed to be no hope for what was predominantly the elderly in catching up without some kind of step change. Luckily, that change came with mass-produced and relatively cheap headsets with AR/VR capabilities, and the subsequent rise of the Metaverse. The development of visual-based point-and-click applications took away much of the need to understand huge amounts about computing operations before using a computer. 

And as those first few VR apps have grown to become the Metaverse, there is potential for everyone to join in. What has become XR has made the Metaverse accessible to all.

The Metaverse as The Great Leveller

The Metaverse is exactly the game changer that those who couldn’t get on with mainstream computing needed. If you can put a headset on, hit a power button, and point to accessible Apps with a pointer then you’re included. The problem lies in communicating that idea to those who don’t realise how simple it actually is. For many older people, even the mention of words such as XR, headset, and Metaverse is sufficient to make them stop listening.

The fact that the Metaverse isn’t just about gaming means that users can be introduced to a huge array of interesting and exciting experiences right from the comfort of the users’ home. For instance, individuals all around the world may experience art collections without the expenses and limitations of travel by using virtual museums. These immersive experiences not only make culture more accessible to everyone, but they also make learning and enjoying information more engaging and enjoyable. To aid this, Spanish telecommunications giant, Telefónica, have joined forces with Meta to develop a program of engagement for older people around the world. The Idea is to increase inclusion through the use of bespoke workshops and direct involvement with the Metaverse. 

And because the Metaverse is a fast-growing system and has the potential to allow anyone to participate, numerous different social, political and commercial entities are keen to get as many people on board as possible. The Digital Divide, they reason, can be bridged pretty quickly and if people of all ages are embraced now, then the great majority of people in sidelined social groups will have the skills needed to use the Metaverse effectively.

Of course, we’ve already mentioned that cost is an important factor in closing the digital divide and the need to have low-cost headsets that have a good performance and, luckily, we have those. For most people, headset cost isn’t a great issue, so ownership comes down to the understanding that the Metaverse is there and can be easily accessed, and maybe an hour or two of training is enough to get the hang of it.

Getting People Interested

Reducing the digital divide has become a major goal for a growing number of Government and private agencies, who are keen to get the full spectrum of the population involved. For example, Meta have started a program called VR for Good, which aims to be as inclusive as possible. This channel tells heartwarming social stories through the lives of others and being educational at the same time. 

The low-income issues associated with the digital divide is also a major concern, and is being tackled by Defeat The Digital Divide, who are concerned with getting the ultra-high speed connections that the Metaverse needs to as many Americans as possible. Focusing mainly on schools, the organisation’s purpose is to bridge this gap by offering educational resources to promote connection to the places who need it. Led by a cooperation of top technology and connectivity professionals including STEP CG and Cradlepoint – and supported by educators – who combine their knowledge and enthusiasm for helping kids learn to link school districts to the tools and funds available to offer dependable internet connection to their children.

Helping Everyone Get Online

The Metaverse has a lot of potential, but it also has a lot of obstacles. To achieve a democratic virtual future, we must overcome the digital gap that currently exists. In order to offer cheap access, improve digital literacy, and promote inclusive design, governments, technology corporations, and non-governmental organisations must work together. We can construct a digital environment that benefits everyone by learning from the past of the internet and applying those lessons to the metaverse.

The Metaverse and other digital spaces are essential components of contemporary communities and have established the groundwork for academic, professional, and social networks. The Digital Divide is exacerbated by the exclusion of individuals from these social areas, and effectively results in the exclusion of certain social sectors and cultures. 

Those who have restricted or no access to communication channels, including email, instant messaging, and mobile phones, may experience lasting consequences in their limited social interactions. Nevertheless, we anticipate that the digital divide will decrease rapidly as a result of the increasing number of initiatives that are intended to promote inclusion for all. The Digital Divide is reducing, and in a few years may not exist at all.

 

Unity Developers are a specialist team of Programmers, Artists and Engineers dedicated to creating and promoting XR content. If you have a project that you need help with, why not get in touch and see how we can help you.