With the era of the Metaverse upon us, Telefono Azzurro took part in the conference Education and Metaverse: Digital Transformation and Sustainability, to discuss the benefits, opportunities and risks of the new digital universes. The summit was also attended by young people, representatives of institutions, the academic sector and individuals.
During the various interventions, all the speakers came to the conclusion that the next digital world represents an opportunity also and above all for the education and training of children and adolescents. The metaverse, in fact, will represent a central element in the future of the youngest. In order to seize all the opportunities in this sense, however, the risks must not be underestimated. It is therefore important develop skills, to ensure a safe and secure virtual environment.
“Today’s meeting allows us to address a topic of great interest, as well as being complex: the future of our children in the digital world”, said Professor Ernesto Caffo, President of Telefono Azzurro at the opening of the conference. “In particular, we are talking about Metaverso which on the one hand offers significant opportunities, on the other hand requires from us adults a great ability to listen to the needs of the world of young people and attention to the possible paths that will lead them to develop new skills”.
Telefono Azzurro: “The Metaverse between opportunities and risks”
According to a survey by TelefonoAzzurro & Doxa Kids, presented last February, 45% of young people interviewed see the Metaverse as a place for recreation. 35%, on the other hand, think it is a way to keep in touch with their friends. For another 35% it is also a space that offers learning and study possibilities.
“We are faced with children who are building their identity in a world that is changing, there are concrete risks in digital that we must take into account, such as gaming, augmented reality, the use of online money and use of sensitive data ”, continued the Professor Caffo. “The Metaverse is the place where the experiences made can be very realistic and immersive, sometimes with the risk of damage, especially in the little ones. We must build rules and paths that allow the new generations to experience the digital world in total safety, also from the point of view of their mental health “.