Meta, the parent company of Facebook, recently announced that it will be allowing children between the ages of 10 and 12 to interact with others in virtual reality (VR) with parental approval. This move comes as Meta aims to familiarize younger users with VR technology and potentially compete with popular platforms like Roblox and Microsoft’s Minecraft, which have a strong presence among young users.
With an upcoming update, Meta is introducing a feature that allows parents to add approved contacts for their children to chat with, call, and join in parent-approved VR experiences. These approved contacts will only be added once a parent has specifically designated them as such. Parents will have control over managing these contacts, with the ability to add and delete them as needed. This feature aims to address the safety concerns that arise with children using VR and ensure that parents have a level of control over their child’s interactions in this virtual environment.
In addition to opening up VR experiences to children, Meta also lowered the recommended age for using its Quest headset from 13 to 10 last year. This decision reflects Meta’s recognition of the growing interest and potential benefits of VR for younger users. By allowing children to engage with VR at an earlier age, Meta hopes to foster familiarity and comfort with the technology, increasing the likelihood that they will continue to use it as they grow older.
However, it’s important to note that the risks associated with VR technology for children are still not fully understood. This has raised concerns among parents, rights groups, and researchers about child safety in virtual environments. The decision by Meta to introduce social features to children’s accounts on Quest coincides with increased pressure from Congress on social media companies to prioritize the protection of children on their platforms. This indicates that Meta is taking steps to address these concerns and create a safer space for children to interact in VR.
Overall, Meta’s decision to allow children to engage with others in VR through approved contacts demonstrates their commitment to both expanding their user base and ensuring the safety of younger users. By providing parents with control over their child’s VR interactions and addressing concerns around child safety, Meta is positioning itself as a responsible leader in the VR industry. This move not only benefits Meta but also offers young users the opportunity to explore and engage with new technologies in a controlled and supervised manner.
