Guardians of the Metaverse?: A critical discussion regarding healthcare professionals’ roles and responsibilities in the age of social media (V)
Hoi Yan Corliss Wong1, HKUMed, The University Of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR 1HKUMed, The University Of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China
Abstract
It has only taken two decades for social media platforms to emerge as a collective symbol of modernity, innovation, and mass globalisation. Their invention is a testament to the latest frenetic advancements in technology which have culminated in billions of connected users, but at what cost? In this presentation, I will be using Meta as a case study to posit that the promised digital utopia of yesteryear has developed into something much, much more. In my view, the unprecedented evolution from the humble beginnings of Facebook to the upcoming Metaverse is a 21st century success story as much as it is a tragedy waiting to unfold – in the absence of suitable oversight or intervention. Given growing concerns on the impact of social networking sites on (young) users’ well-being and mental health, I will be critically evaluating these claims, before outlining the potential contributions of modern healthcare professionals (HCPs) as ‘Guardians of the Metaverse’. My intention is to highlight the importance and urgency of this matter to catalyse changes in holistic well-being support, alongside proper mental healthcare provision and governance. I will conclude by strongly urging HCPs to take a proactive cross-disciplinary approach, and to maintain a sense of cautious optimism in the face of innovation. Ultimately, my belief is unwavering in that they are powerful stakeholders with crucial roles to play, and particularly so at this critical juncture. And after all, with great power comes great responsibility.
Biography
Miss Hoi Yan Corliss Wong is a final year medical student at The University of Hong Kong, with an intercalated degree in Medical Education from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is a humanist and generalist at heart, with a natural inclination and curiosity for the cultural and psycho-social aspects of medicine and healthcare. She hopes to help the less privileged through her voice, action, and social enterprise endeavours.