The metaverse in tension: lines of study and future of the field from the perspective of social sciences

Abstract

This article analyzes the tensions and emerging lines of research surrounding the metaverse from an interdisciplinary perspective of the social sciences. A bibliometric study (2020-2023) in Scopus identified a predominance of research focused on technological infrastructures—extended reality, blockchain, and artificial intelligence—which contrasts with the scant attention paid to ethical, psychosocial, and environmental implications. While educational and economic applications lead global academic production, topics such as privacy, governance, and digital inequalities remain marginal, revealing a gap between innovation and social critique. In contrast to global agendas, the Latin American context—exemplified by Colombia—faces unique challenges: access gaps, rural exclusion, and risks of digital colonialism, which demand public policies adapted to local realities. The study concludes that the metaverse is not a neutral space, but a field of contestation where corporate interests, historical exclusions, and opportunities for social justice converge. The social sciences emerge as key actors in humanizing its development, integrating critical frameworks that prioritize equity, citizen participation, and sustainability.