Meta is introducing new features for its virtual reality platform, Horizon Worlds, allowing preteens to engage with select experiences under parental guidance. This change lets kids between 10 and 12 years old explore worlds like The Space Station, dive into The Aquarium, or race through the Spy School game. Parents have the option to either allow their children to request access to specific VR environments or handpick which ones are suitable.
To enhance security, Meta has rolled out several protective measures. They’ve introduced a rating system classifying worlds as 10+, 13+, or 18+, which enables parents to pre-approve all worlds suitable for 10-year-olds. Worlds rated 18+ are automatically off-limits for preteens. In addition, there’s a safeguard in place where follower suggestions are disabled, and preteens default to an “offline” status, keeping their presence hidden unless parents decide otherwise.
Moreover, avatars now benefit from a “Personal Boundary” feature, maintaining a two-foot virtual buffer to prevent others from getting too close. This step comes after Meta’s earlier move to allow parents to vet and approve who their children can interact with within VR spaces. Recent changes also require users of the Meta Quest 2 or 3 headsets to verify their birthday to continue accessing the device.
Parent-managed accounts for preteens have been around since June 2023. Still, despite these layers of safety, some parents remain skeptical about Meta’s commitment to protecting young users, especially given past controversies. Earlier this year, Meta faced backlash when it was revealed they knowingly promoted its messaging services to underaged users, despite risks posed by adult interactions, as evidenced by internal documents in a New Mexico lawsuit. What’s more, another significant lawsuit, backed by 42 state attorneys general, claims that Meta designs its platforms to deliberately entice children, potentially harming their mental health.
