Meta is now opening the doors for preteens to explore its virtual reality (VR) platform, Horizon Worlds. With parent-managed accounts, kids aged 10 to 12 can dive into various VR experiences, though some guardrails are definitely in place.
Parents can soon approve the virtual worlds their preteens can enter. Options include checking out The Space Station, wandering through The Aquarium, or getting the adrenaline pumping at the Spy School racing game. Kids can either request access to specific worlds, or parents can sift through the list themselves to decide which ones get the thumbs up.
Meta isn’t taking the safety of these young explorers lightly. They’ve rolled out a new rating system: 10+, 13+, and 18+. This lets parents give blanket approval to all worlds rated 10+, while 18+ worlds are kept out of sight for preteens. Plus, there won’t be any follower suggestions, and by default, preteens appear “offline” to everyone unless parents decide otherwise.
Additionally, every avatar comes with a “Personal Boundary” permanently in place. This ensures that a bubble of two virtual feet surrounds them, keeping unwanted interactions at bay.
This development comes on the heels of Meta’s recent updates that allowed parents to handpick who their child can chat with and invite into VR worlds. There’s also a new requirement for users with a Meta Quest 2 or 3 headset to re-enter their birthdate before getting back into the VR action.
Parent-managed accounts for this age group have been a thing since June 2023. Even with the added safety nets, some parents may still feel uneasy, given Meta’s mixed track record with young users’ safety. Earlier in the year, Meta faced scrutiny for allegedly promoting its messaging platforms to minors despite knowing about the inappropriate interactions between adults and kids. This is highlighted by internal documents referenced in a lawsuit by the New Mexico Department of Justice. Moreover, 42 U.S. state attorneys have filed a lawsuit accusing Meta of crafting products to lure in children, which they claim harms their mental health.
