This paper examines the public perception of the metaverse through a comprehensive analysis of discussions on social media platforms. Utilising data from Reddit, we employed topic modeling, and sentiment analysis to uncover the current state, topics, sentiment orientation, and public concerns regarding the metaverse. Our findings indicate that while there is a general positive sentiment towards the metaverse, there are also concerns about its potential negative implications. Additionally, we observed a significant interest in the metaverse’s potential to transform the lives of individuals with disabilities. Our study provides valuable insights into how the public perceives the metaverse, which can help businesses, government entities, and other stakeholders in developing policies and products that align with public sentiment and address concerns.