Exploring the Ethical Issues of Educational Metaverse: Insights from Experts
Lecture Notes in Educational Technology, (2026), pp. 1-11
Ahmed Hosny Saleh Metwally
a
,
Michael Agyemang Adarkwah
b
,
Ahmed Tlili
c
,
Manuel B. Garcia
d,e,f
,
Dong Yang
g
,
Ahmed Mohamed Fahmy Yousef
h
a National Pedagogical University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
b Institute of Education and Culture, Chair of Adult Education, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany
c Smart Learning Institute, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
d Educational Innovation and Technology Hub, FEU Institute of Technology, Manila, Philippines
e Graduate School of Education, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
f College of Education, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon, Philippines
g College of Education for the Future, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
h College of Education, Instructional and Learning Technologies Department, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Abstract: Many educational institutes adopt immersive learning environments (ILEs) for their positive contribution to learning outcomes. However, challenges reflecting a wide range of serious ethical issues and concerns also evoke a degree of apprehension in its integration by educators and researchers. This study identifies the ethical issues and risks associated with integrating Metaverse technologies into educational settings. It also focuses on the voices of Metaverse experts with the idea of a safe and educationally immersive environment. A qualitative approach was used in which in-depth interviews of the experts on ethical issues were conducted. According to the experts’ perspectives, key ethical issues and risks are highlighted, such as data privacy, security, policies, hyperreality, loss of social skills, and negligence of physical health. The findings also emphasize the importance of the Metaverse-related considerations, including design, policies, universities’ roles, and safety concerns for equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Based on the findings, we recommend enhancing the Metaverse design environments by integrating ethical frameworks and policies to ensure safe and inclusive environments for teachers and students.