Meta Lowers Minimum Age for Quest Headsets Users From 13 Years to 10 Years
Photo credit: Meta
Meta Platforms recently launched its newest mixed reality headset, the Quest 3. In conjunction with the release, the company has made a significant change by lowering the minimum age requirement for Meta Quest account users. Previously set at 13 years, the minimum age has now been lowered to 10 years.
This means that parents will have the option to create parent-managed Meta accounts for their children aged 10 to 12 on Meta's Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets. However, this change will take effect later this year. Meta has assured users that it will not display ads to this younger age group, and it plans to recommend only those apps that are deemed safe for kids.
The decision to lower the minimum age requirement reflects Meta's aim to make its VR devices more accessible and appealing to a broader range of users. By allowing younger children to use the devices under parental supervision, Meta hopes to provide a safer and more age-appropriate experience.
It's worth noting that parental involvement and monitoring are crucial in ensuring that children have a balanced and responsible virtual reality experience.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, recently announced a new feature that allows parents to set up accounts for their children between the ages of 10 and 12 on their Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 virtual reality headsets. The announcement was made through a blog post on Friday.
According to the company, parents will have the ability to create these accounts and manage them, providing an added layer of control and oversight. Preteens who want to use the virtual reality headsets will need to obtain their parents' approval before setting up an account and downloading apps.
By introducing this feature, Meta aims to strike a balance between catering to younger users' interests and ensuring their safety. The company acknowledges the importance of parental involvement in regulating access to virtual reality experiences and believes that this step will help create a more responsible and age-appropriate environment.
This update also emphasizes Meta's commitment to providing a positive and secure experience for users of all ages, while addressing concerns about children's access to virtual reality technology. The company plans to roll out this feature later this year, providing parents with more control over their children's virtual reality experiences.
Meta's recent decision to lower the minimum age for Meta Quest accounts to 10 years comes with a commitment to providing age-appropriate experiences for children. By using children's ages, Meta aims to recommend apps that are suitable for their specific age group, ensuring that they engage with content that is appropriate for their developmental stage.
Despite the lower age limit, Meta emphasizes that parents will still have control over their children's app downloads and usage on the Meta Quest Platform. Parents will be able to exercise authority over the apps their kids can access and can block certain apps if desired. This gives parents the ability to curate their children's virtual reality experiences and ensure they align with their values and preferences.
The focus on age-appropriate experiences and parental control demonstrates Meta's commitment to child safety and responsible use of its platforms. By empowering parents to make informed decisions and exercise control over their children's virtual reality activities, Meta aims to strike a balance between providing an immersive experience and ensuring the well-being of young users.
Meta has addressed the concerns of parents regarding the safety and privacy of their children using Meta Quest headsets. To ensure a safe and age-appropriate experience, Meta will use children's ages to recommend suitable apps and content through its app store. Parents will have control over the apps their kids can download, and they will be able to block access to apps at any time.
In addition, Meta is introducing features that give parents more control over their children's headset usage. Parents will be able to set time limits for headset usage and schedule breaks, promoting healthy screen time habits. They will also have the option to cast VR experiences to a phone or TV screen, allowing them to monitor what their children are viewing while using the headset.
Privacy is another important aspect addressed by Meta. Profiles of children aged 10 to 12 years will be set to private by default, ensuring that unknown individuals cannot follow them without parental approval. Active status and current app usage will also be hidden from others by default, unless parents choose to allow this information to be shared. Preteens will not be able to change default privacy and safety settings, further ensuring their protection.
These measures taken by Meta demonstrate their commitment to providing a safer and more controlled environment for children using their VR platforms. By offering parental controls, age-appropriate recommendations, and default privacy settings, Meta aims to give parents peace of mind while allowing children to enjoy virtual reality experiences responsibly.
Meta understands the importance of maintaining a safe and age-appropriate environment for children using its Meta Quest headsets. In order to address concerns related to privacy and data usage, Meta has taken several steps. First, children in the age group of 10 to 12 years will not be shown any advertisements while using the headsets, ensuring an uninterrupted experience.
Parents will have the ability to decide whether their child's data can be used to enhance Meta's services, giving them more control over their child's information. They will also have the option to delete their child's account and associated user details if needed.
To provide a curated selection of content, Meta is collaborating with developers to expand the availability of age-appropriate apps and games on the Meta Quest Platform specifically for this age group. Currently, Meta's social virtual reality app, Horizon Worlds, is accessible to users above 13 years old in the United States and Canada, while in Europe, the minimum age requirement is 18 years.
By working closely with the developer community and implementing stringent privacy measures, Meta aims to create a secure and enjoyable virtual reality experience for children. The company is committed to giving parents the necessary tools and safeguards to ensure their child's privacy and safety while using Meta Quest headsets.