As the metaverse has emerged as a potentially transformative digital environment, understanding young users’ motivations and adoption intentions is crucial for developers, educators, and policymakers. This study combines the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to determine what factors influence Generation Z’s interest in the metaverse. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from a quantitative survey of 178 Gen Z students in Vietnam. Perceived ease of use was found to have a significant impact on perceived usefulness and intention to use metaverse platforms. Intentions to use are also significantly influenced by perceived usefulness. Surprisingly, neither ritualized nor instrumental motivation significantly affected adoption intentions, challenging the traditional applications of UGT in digital contexts. These findings suggest a paradigm shift in understanding Gen Z’s engagement with immersive technologies, indicating blurred boundaries between the different types of digital use. This study contributes to the growing literature on metaverse adoption by highlighting the need for user-friendly interfaces and the clear communication of benefits. It also underscores the necessity of new theoretical frameworks that better capture the holistic nature of Gen Z’s digital engagement. This research has significant implications for metaverse design, marketing strategies, and digital literacy programs, paving the way for future studies on the long-term impacts of immersive technologies on the younger generations.