The Quest 3, the newest version of mixed reality headset from Meta Platforms, was released earlier this month. The Mark Zuckerberg-led business, which presently controls the market for augmented reality and virtual reality gadgets, is now dropping the minimum age requirement for Meta Quest account holders from 13 to 10 years old. The most recent change allows parents to create parent-managed Meta accounts for kids between the ages of 10 and 12 on Meta’s Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets starting later this year. Users in this age category won’t see advertisements, according to Meta. Additionally, apps that have been deemed kid-safe will be recommended.
Parents will be able to set up accounts for Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets for their children in the age range of 10 to 12 years starting later this year, according to a blog post published by the Facebook parent company on Friday. The business stresses that preteens will need their parents’ permission to set up an account and download apps onto the virtual reality headsets.
Children’s ages will be used by Meta to “provide age-appropriate experiences” throughout its app store, such as suggesting age-appropriate apps. Although the minimum age has been lowered, parents are assured that they will have control over the programmes that their children download through the Meta Quest Platform. Additionally, argues Meta, customers would have the option to revoke app access at any moment.
The use of headphones by children will have time limitations, and parents will be able to plan breaks from using electronics, according to Meta, who is responding to parent worries. Parents will be able to watch what their preteens are viewing while wearing the headset since there will be options to transmit the VR experiences to a phone or TV screen.
Furthermore, children between the ages of 10 and 12 are assured to have their default privacy settings enabled in their Meta accounts. With this feature disabled, no one could follow preteens without their consent or the consent of their parents. This age group’s active status and recent app usage are likewise by default concealed from others, unless their parent chooses to let this information to be shared. Preteens also won’t be able to alter the privacy and security default settings.
Participants in this age range won’t see any ads. Parents have the option to let or prohibit the firm from using their child’s data to enhance its offerings. Furthermore, Meta said, parents would have the option of deleting their child’s account and all associated user information.
According to Meta, it is collaborating with the developer community to expand the number of age-appropriate games and applications available on the Meta Quest Platform for this demographic. As of right now, residents of the US and Canada over the age of 13 can access Meta’s social virtual reality programme, Horizon Worlds. In Europe, users must be older than 18 to access it.
