The relationship between high school students’ social media usage and Metaverse knowledge levels

Abstract

Metaverse is the new digital environment to socialize and experience. Builders consider it to be the next step of technological evolution. Social media is used intensively, especially by young people. The aim of this research is to reveal the relationship between high school students' social media usage and Metaverse knowledge levels. A correlational survey model was used in the research. The participants are 568 students studying at different grade levels from different types of high schools in Balıkesir. Data was collected with “personal information form”, “Social Media Usage Scale” and "Metaverse Scale." In conclusion; it was revealed that the duration of high school students' engagement with social media and their competence in terms of use are at a medium level and female students are more engaged with social media. It was observed that students who use smartphones and have social media accounts, interact with social media for longer periods of time and more competently. Also, the Metaverse knowledge levels of the participants were above average. Male students have higher levels of knowledge within the scope of digitalization and lifestyle. As the grade level increases, so does the Metaverse knowledge level. Students from two schools that receive students with higher base scores, have higher levels of knowledge. It was observed that using social media both continuously and competently has a positive relationship with Metaverse knowledge levels. To increase the knowledge level, classrooms can be created and Metaverse content added to the curriculum of Computer Science courses.

Keywords

• Social Media
• Metaverse
• High School
• Student

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