Meta has lowered the age limit for Quest accounts. Are these kids too young to explore VR?

Your ten year old can now rock a Meta Quest headset. with your permission.

Last week, Meta announced that parents can create Meta Quest accounts for their children ages 10 to 12, replacing the previous age requirement of 13 and up. Meta says these parent-managed accounts will require pre-teens to obtain parental permission before downloading the app and accepting follow-up requests.

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A parent-managed meta account allows parents to create screen time limits. Parents can also use a Casting feature that projects their child’s VR experience onto a phone or TV, allowing them to see what their child sees while using the Quest headset.

Meta says the company will not use any preteens’ data to target them with ads, but will collect their data to “deliver age-appropriate experiences.”

Parents can choose whether they want their child’s data to be analyzed by Meta to create such an experience, and all data associated with their child’s account is deleted when the account is deleted.

Even then, collects meta data On children 10 to 12 years old, such as their geolocation and any photo or audio content the company receives from the child’s device. Parents must consent to Meta collecting this information in order to comply with US child privacy laws.

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Meta Horizon Worlds, Meta’s open-world VR experience, will be unavailable to children under the age of 13 to reduce their chances of interacting with Predators.

However, it is unclear how long-term exposure to VR might affect a pre-developing eyes and brain, which continue to develop until a person reaches their mid-20s.

Meta’s Oculus Safety Center advises that children under the age of 13 do not use Meta VR Systems because “younger children are at greater risk of injury and adverse effects than older users.”

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Last month, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory detailing how long-term use of social media can affect a preteen’s mental health and social development. The same advice states that long-term smartphone use can affect a preteen’s physical health, presenting a “profound risk” for this age group.

The advisory acknowledged that the data is insufficient to fully understand how social media and smartphone use may negatively affect preteens, and that even less research exists regarding the potential harms of widespread VR use.

But as generative AI takes hold, the tech industry has turned its attention away from the metaverse to invest in new technology. Even Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has admitted that investing AI technologies need to take precedence over the development of the metaverse,

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So if the metaverse isn’t what we thought it would be, why should kids be interested? Social Media Today says Opening up Metaverse and encouraging heads-up gear for kids could be a long-term business move for Meta.

Today’s kids are fascinated by open-world, customizable universe-like games such as Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft. Meta may realize that adults are not their target audience and may find more success in provoking the next generation for VR-based gaming and social connection.

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