Meta set to officially permit users as young as 10 to wear its VR headset, According to the tech giants users as young as 10 can use it’s Meta Quest 2 and 3 VR headsets — However, this is obtainable if their parents consider it to be okay. In a blog post, Meta says that there’s “a vast array of engaging and educational apps, games, and more” for the kids, even though the jury is still out on whether or not it is healthy. Perfect timing for Roblox!
To begin, the new parent-managed Meta accounts will require consent from either or both parents, also parents will be able to control which applications preteens use in order to limit unhealthy exposure and set time limits to curtail and control use. If you want to participate, the majority of the information you’ll need will be available in the “family center” section of your account.
“We will use information we collect about 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds through our Meta Quest products to deliver an age-appropriate experience. We do not serve ads to this age group. Parents will also be able to choose whether their child’s data is used to improve the experience, and they will be able to delete their child’s account, including all of the data associated with it.” the company said regarding data collection.
Of course, it is up to each parent to decide whether VR is appropriate for their child. And when I say the jury is still out, it’s because there aren’t enough independent studies of children using up-to-date headsets.
Meta has also stated that it would not offer ads to users of this age bracket and that parents can choose whether their child’s data can be utilized to improve the company’s services.
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Earlier this year, two Democratic senators pushed Meta to halt plans to provide Horizon Worlds, the company’s main VR program, to youths aged 13 to 17, warning that the technology could affect the physical and emotional health of young users. In a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, and Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal called Meta’s plan “unacceptable” in light of the company’s “record of failure to protect children and teens.”
To its credit, Meta has provided a document that discusses several of the possible risks of VR, such as the fact that the helmets are substantially heavier for a child than an adult, as well as the possibility of eye strain and nausea. However, each segment concludes with Meta saying something along the lines of “but we’ve found no evidence that this is harmful.” not saying they’re lying though, but the firm hasn’t exactly established a trustworthy reputation when it comes to how its goods harm individuals.
Perhaps the most frightening aspect stated is the potential degradation or delay of a child’s “reality distinctions.” Of course, at a young age, reality and fiction tend to blend together. But, even five or ten years ago, youngsters didn’t have full-immersion monitors with lifelike worlds to get lost in.
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Judging from all the information supplied and made available by Meta, it is now left for parents to decide whether they consider it safe to allow their little ones to use the Meta VR. On our end, it is advised that you try to do more digging and make a decision based on how you feel after using a Meta Quest 2 and 3 VR headsets, although what you have access to is quite different from what the children are allowed and expected to have access to.
Also, although it can be fun when using VR, do well to limit prolonged exposure and talk to your child after he or she has used the VR, also do well to follow Meta for new updates and watch out for warnings.
