Web 3.0: Will we see a mental health crisis in the metaverse?
“Wherever you go there you are,” wrote mindfulness author Jon Kabat-Zinn in his book of the same name back in 2005, just as the likes of Facebook were getting ready to launch to the public.
Fast forward through 17 years which have seen the unintended consequences of web 2.0 and their technology, creating polarization, insecurity, isolation and online trolls, and with them rising mental health problems especially in the young generations which flock to them eagerly.
And now we stand, like we did back in 2005, on the edge of new cliff to dive off, web 3.0 and the metaverse.
Amid the same wild enthusiasm which greeted 2.0, mentl joined a panel at the World Metaverse Show in Dubai and asked the question – ‘why will we be any better with web 3.0?’.
Moderator Susan Furness, Web3 Strategist and Senior Associate with Edgewalkers International, posed the question: “I think it’s a good time to bring in the safety aspect and you the guidelines around web three and the creator economy and the communities. How do we keep everybody safe?”
Scott Armstrong, founder of mentl, told the audience: “I’m really worried to be honest with you. And I think there’s a massive responsibility on web 3.0 to do better than web 2.0. Web 2.0 has created so much polarization, so much insecurity, and our children need better tools growing up.
“We have we’ve seen the Senate hearings in the US about Instagram and the fears over the damage that the algorithms have done to teenage girls and their opinions of themselves.
“We’re talking about Web 3.0 being better technology but unfortunately wherever you go there you are – today you are probably going to have the same toxic individuals in the metaverse that are in the real world – IRL.
“I’m heartened talking to Dirk Lueth this morning and he’s talking about the guidelines that they’re looking at putting into the open Metaverse, it’s vital.
“We’ve seen the word intended consequences of technology. Facebook has been unregulated social media has been unregulated. It’s been the Wild West and like the Wild West of old, some people have got rich and some people have died.”
Dirk Lueth, co-founder of Upland, the largest metaverse by number of virtual land owners, told the room how in June he had invited representatives from other metaverse giants such as Decentraland, Sandbox, Moca (Museum of Crypto Art) to a meeting in June.
Dirk said: “So, we all were sitting in one room together and said ‘okay, we have to do things differently in the metaverse rather than what you’ve seen on web 2.0. In July we started what we call the Open Metaverse Alliance for Web Three, it’s called online three.org. We have over 800 companies signed up already.
“We are going to work on standards, like KYC, know your customer, so that across all metaverse you only need to identify yourself once.
“But that ties in perfectly what Scott is doing. Also I think we need to protect minorities and people in the metaverse. You know, we don’t want to repeat what we’ve seen with web two. I mean, big, big objective, of course, including everything concerning mental health. So, there will be work groups where people can join and then contribute and build thought processes in.
“We’re currently setting up a foundation in Switzerland and that people will be able to join.”
Raed Kuhail, Executive Director Information Technology at Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, asked the panel a question which went straight to the heart of the issue.
“I think there are two risks. One is meeting the wrong people and so forth, and the other, which I believe is the elephant in the room, is that this [the metaverse] is so enticing, way more than a mobile experience that it could be addictive and it could lead to bad eggs. So, in your opinion, what are some of these guidelines that could steer this into a good direction as opposed to something that we negative?”
Scott said: “I think the biggest step to start with is education. Parents need education as well as children and this kind of digital literacy needs to be in our schools so our children can grow secure. And the more secure they are the less at risk they are to the forces and polarization and that addictive algorithmic engagement that’s going to entice them, they’ll be more competent to make better decisions.
“A lot of parents as well out there, you’ve got to remember, that they’re just trying to get through the day to day, and they are trying to raise their children the best they can but they’re up against Silicon Valley, and their algorithmic addiction specialists, some of the smartest brains in the world.
“When I was growing up didn’t matter if you were bullied in school your bedroom was the safest place for you. I was bullied at school but as soon as I left that environment my peers could not reach into my room and continue the toxicity.
“Now, the bedroom can be the most dangerous place for our children, because they’re in there and web 2.0 is pouring hatred into their ears. How are we going to stop that with web 3.0 which is going to be even more immersive?
“I think we’ve got a massive opportunity we in Dubai and Abu Dhabi because we live in a really good place where our children grow up confident. I think we have the opportunity to build in that security and that literacy from day one. It’s such an ambitious place as well, so we’re surrounded by technology which gives our children a massive opportunity, but then we have a massive responsibility.”
