Nursing students’ attitudes toward metaverse applications and their online privacy concerns: a correlational study

Abstract

Background: As digital technologies continue to evolve rapidly, interest in incorporating innovative platforms including the metaverse into nursing education has increased. These virtual environments provide students with interactive, real-time learning opportunities, while also introducing concerns related to online privacy. This study examined the relationship between nursing students’ attitudes toward metaverse applications and their online privacy concerns. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional correlational study. Data were obtained from 257 undergraduate nursing students enrolled at a public university located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Data were collected between September and November 2022 using a structured, self-administered survey. Instruments included a Demographic Information Form, the Metaverse Scale, and the Online Privacy Concern Scale. Results: The mean total score on the Metaverse Scale was 51.63 ± 9.56, with subscale means of Technology (24.28 ± 4.88), Digitalization (10.39 ± 2.29), Social (6.31 ± 1.93), and Lifestyle (10.65 ± 2.53). The Online Privacy Concern Scale total mean score was 51.68 ± 11.66, with subscale scores of Email Use (21.21 ± 5.53), Online Trust (22.85 ± 5.23), and Online Payment (7.62 ± 2.01). A positive, statistically significant correlation was observed between nursing students’ attitudes toward metaverse applications and online privacy concern (p =.001). The Social subscale of the Metaverse Scale showed a significant correlation only with the Online Payment subscale of the Privacy Scale, not with Email Use or Online Trust. Conclusions: The findings reveal a paradox wherein nursing students with greater enthusiasm for metaverse technologies also experience heightened online privacy concerns. This duality presents a critical challenge in nursing education: harnessing the transformative potential of metaverse applications while mitigating privacy anxieties that may hinder student engagement and academic success. Developing secure, transparent, and privacy-respecting virtual learning environments should be prioritized to foster trust and empower students to fully embrace innovative digital tools in their professional development.