In a groundbreaking announcement on Wednesday, Meta revealed that children aged 10 to 12 will soon be able to interact with others in virtual reality (VR), provided they have their parents’ approval. This marks a significant shift, as until now, younger users were not permitted to chat or engage with others on Quest.
New Features for Enhanced Parental Control
Meta’s upcoming update introduces features that allow parents to meticulously manage their child’s interactions in VR. Parents will be able to individually approve contacts for their child, enabling them to chat, call, and send or accept invites for parent-approved VR experiences.
By opening up VR experiences to a younger demographic, Meta aims to familiarize kids with the technology early on. This strategic move is expected to boost long-term engagement, positioning Meta as a formidable competitor against platforms like Roblox and Microsoft’s Minecraft, which are already popular among young users.
Ensuring Safe and Controlled Interactions
Meta has emphasized that users will only become approved contacts once a parent adds them. Parents can manage these contacts by adding them to their child’s Following and Followers list. While children can request followers to become approved contacts, parents retain the authority to delete any contact at any time.
This initiative builds on Meta’s previous efforts to make VR more accessible to younger users. Last year, the company lowered the recommended age for using its Quest headset from 13 to 10. Subsequently, Meta launched parent-managed accounts, granting 10 to 12-year-olds access to age-appropriate VR experiences on Quest.
Addressing Safety Concerns in a New Frontier
Despite VR being a relatively new technology with still-unknown risks, Meta is proactive in addressing safety concerns raised by parents, rights groups, and researchers. By incorporating robust parental controls, the company aims to create a safer environment for younger users.
Meta’s decision to introduce social features for children’s accounts on Quest coincides with growing pressure from Congress on social media companies like Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat to enhance child protection on their platforms.
This bold move by Meta not only expands the horizons for young VR users but also reinforces the company’s commitment to safety and responsible use. As VR technology continues to evolve, Meta’s approach may set new standards for how younger audiences interact in digital spaces.
