At what age is VR safe for children?
VR headsets are hugely popular with kids, but what is the minimum age to use them and what content is appropriate to start with?
Every Monday, we answer a question from our readers. Send your question to tomislav@mixed.de with "Question" in the subject line, and with any luck, we'll answer it the following Monday.
This week's question comes from Laura Geppert:
What is the recommended age for a VR headset, and what game would be a good starter?
Dear Laura,
This is a good and important question.
Using the VR game Gorilla Tag as an example, we can see that children and teenagers are probably the fastest growing group of VR users. The popularity of the technology with the youngest has led Meta to lower the minimum age to use Meta Quest from 13 to 10, lower than other manufacturers.
Meta offers Meta accounts specifically for teens (13-17) and preteens (10-12). The latter are fully managed by parents, who decide which games can be downloaded and used. Information on creating a Meta account for preteens and other useful guidelines can be found in Meta's Safety Information for Parents and Children Ages 10-12.
This is manufacturer information. If you were to ask me personally about the appropriate minimum age, I would not give you a number, but I would answer: The right age to start using VR is when the child is mentally and physically mature enough to benefit from the technology. Be it for playing or learning. So the minimum age can vary from child to child.
To my knowledge, there are no long-term studies examining the effects of extensive VR use on children's developing vision. Therefore, it is important to use virtual reality in moderation, just like any other technology. Parents can set time limits with a pre-teen account.
It is imperative that parents properly introduce children to VR and accompany them on this journey. To help with this, there are many ways to share the VR experience on second screens. As a parent, you can always join in or check in on what your child is playing.
In terms of age-appropriate games, I would recommend starting with single-player experiences. Cozy games like Garden of the Sea, The Curious Tale of The Stolen Pets or Raccoon Lagooon are good choices. The latter can optionally be played together if there are two or more Quest headsets in the household.
Multiplayer games, on the other hand, have a social dynamic that requires special care, and children should not be left unsupervised. Metaverse platforms such as Horizon Worlds or VRChat are not suitable for children, and even in child-friendly counterparts such as Rec Room or Gorilla Tag, you may encounter all kinds of people and behaviors.
Kind regards,
Tomislav
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