Drivers of metaverse adoption among children and youths: a UTATU2 perspective

Introduction. Despite increasing commercial and research interest in the metaverse, its adoption has been limited due to challenges such as technological complexities, usability issues, cost, and privacy concerns. This study investigates factors influencing metaverse adoption from the perspectives of children and youths in Asian countries. Method. Using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2), we conducted semi-structured interviews with 40 individuals aged 13 to 24 to understand their metaverse usage habits and the perceived drivers of adoption. Analysis. Audio recordings of all interviews were transcribed. The transcripts were manually content analysed through an iterative process. Themes were based on the UTAUT2. Results. Entertainment, socialization, and education were primary activities conducted within the metaverse. Adoption was mainly driven by performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social factors.