Inequalities in access to technology are nothing new. The digital divide, the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communication technology and those that do not, is a well-documented phenomenon that has existed since before the end of the 20th century.

What began as a disparity in access to phones has been seen in subsequent years with television, personal computers, and Internet connectivity. Multiple research initiatives have estimated that up to 22.5% of US households still do not have home internet. The next place we can expect to see this pattern is in the metaverse.

Like the digital divides of the past, factors such as cost, infrastructure, and availability will allow certain people to access…