The week in the metaverse: inclusion, virtual tourism, and a growing scandal against Meta

Source: CritpoTendencia Original Title: The Week in the Metaverse: Inclusion, Virtual Tourism, and a Growing Scandal Against Meta Original Link: This week, immersive technology is at an ethical and social crossroads. On one hand, the metaverse is rapidly advancing as a “digital passport” for culture. Its inclusive potential is also gaining support: studies confirm benefits in representing disabilities through avatars, and UCAM is applying immersive environments to train more empathetic professionals. Even religion is joining in, with the Chiclayo Cathedral holding Mass in Roblox.

However, this technological expansion is overshadowed by a serious accusation against Meta. Court documents allege that the company “may have concealed” evidence of psychological harm to teenagers, prioritizing economic gain over safety.

Traveling Without Leaving Your Environment? Do It in the Metaverse

The nostalgia of travel cannot be contained in a pair of virtual reality glasses. No simulation can replace the excitement of a train ride or the smell of an unfamiliar street.

However, the metaverse doesn’t aim to replace that world, but to expand and make it more accessible. It’s creating a form of preliminary, inclusive, and lasting tourism, capable of sparking the desire to explore before you even set foot outside your home. More and more iconic places now have immersive replicas:

• France: The Louvre Museum offers a virtual experience to tour its halls, zoom in on artworks, and access stories guided by historians. The Palace of Versailles can also be visited online, including areas closed to the general public.
• Egypt: Areas of the Giza Necropolis and tombs of the Valley of the Kings have been digitized, allowing 3D tours of spaces that are restricted even during physical visits.
• Brazil: Iguaçu National Park features a sensory replica in virtual reality.
• South Korea: The “Metaverse Seoul” project brings together cultural routes, K-pop festivals, traditional markets, and visits to Buddhist temples.
• United States: National parks and cities like New York and San Francisco offer virtual experiences to explore architectural heritage, museums, and culinary itineraries.

Meta Accused of “Concealing” Causal Evidence of the Harmful Effects of Its Platforms

According to court documents, Mark Zuckerberg allegedly blocked the hiring of child safety specialists so as not to divert resources from metaverse development.

The text alleges that Meta withheld internal evidence of psychological harm to teenagers and adjusted algorithms to exploit the vulnerability of minors, prioritizing screen time over mental health. Meta denies these accusations, claims the statements are taken out of context, and denies intentionally concealing information.

With more than 1,800 plaintiffs, this lawsuit goes beyond legal matters: it’s a test of contemporary digital ethics. If the leadership is found guilty of sacrificing safety for profit, it would set a historic precedent for corporate responsibility.

Peruvian Church Holds Mass in Roblox

The metaverse has also reached Peru in an unexpected case: the Chiclayo Cathedral “Santa María” has gone viral by bringing Mass to a virtual environment created in Roblox.

Under the “Chiclayo Eterno” project, the congregation has recreated a digital replica of the city, including a temple where Mass is celebrated in real time. The goal is to bring faith closer to young people through platforms that are part of their daily lives.

Every day starting at 7 p.m., any user can enter with their avatar and participate in this digital space where tradition merges with the immersive experience.

Disability Representation in Avatars Offers Real Benefits

A joint study by the University of Stuttgart, California State University at Fullerton, and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems revealed that representing actual disabilities in an avatar can generate significant psychological benefits.

Ksenia Keplinger, head of the Organizational Leadership and Diversity Group, stated:

“We wondered what would happen if avatars reflected a person’s real disability. Our results show that participants predominantly felt comfortable with their inclusive avatars while interacting in this virtual world. The more a participant identified with their disability, the more positive the feedback was.”

The researchers urge companies to adopt more authentic representations in virtual environments, highlighting that visible diversity promotes integration and a sense of belonging at work.

UCAM Uses Immersive Technology to Support Neurodivergent Children

The Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) is promoting a pioneering project to transform the training of Psychology students through an immersive environment that simulates counseling interviews in the classroom.

Using avatars, future professionals interact with a mother and a neurodivergent child, allowing them to put knowledge into practice and develop communication skills in a safe and sensitive setting. This application of immersion seeks not only realism but also to promote empathetic and effective training for working with families and children with specific needs.

I’ll leave you with this phrase: “We will create a future in these metaverses before downloading the blueprints to be built in the physical world.”