Meta Expands Horizon Worlds to Younger Users
Meta, the tech giant formerly known as Facebook, has made a strategic decision to open up Horizon Worlds, its immersive 3D social platform, to a younger audience, specifically targeting users between the ages of 10 and 12. This new initiative marks a significant shift in Meta's approach to virtual reality (VR) engagement, aiming to make the virtual space more accessible and safe for preteens.
Parental Controls and Age Ratings
To ensure a safe and controlled environment, Meta has implemented robust parental controls. Preteens will require a parent-managed Meta account to access Horizon Worlds. This means that parents can monitor and regulate their children's activities within the platform. They will have the authority to approve or decline access requests to specific experiences within Horizon Worlds.
Each experience within Horizon Worlds will come with an age rating to guide parents in deciding what is suitable for their children. The experiences will be categorized as appropriate for ages 10 and up, 13 and up, and 18 and up. This categorization is crucial in helping parents ensure that their children are only exposed to content that aligns with their age and maturity.
Enhanced Safety Features
Meta has introduced additional safety measures to protect young users. For instance, voice chat, a feature that allows users to communicate verbally within the platform, is disabled by default for accounts managed by parents. However, parents have the discretion to enable voice chat for specific contacts they trust. Furthermore, preteens will appear as "offline" by default, adding an extra layer of privacy unless a parent decides otherwise.
The personal boundary setting is another protective feature designed to maintain personal space within the virtual environment. This feature is automatically enabled for parent-managed accounts to prevent other users from getting too close in virtual space, ensuring a respectful and comfortable interaction for young users.
Accessibility Beyond VR
While Horizon Worlds was initially designed for VR experiences, Meta has expanded its accessibility. Some experiences are now available through the Meta Horizon mobile app, broadening the platform's reach to users who may not have access to VR equipment. This inclusion allows preteens to engage in Horizon Worlds using more common devices like smartphones.
Future Prospects
Meta's move to include preteens in Horizon Worlds aligns with their broader strategy to integrate more age groups into their digital ecosystem. Last month, they further announced that preteens with parent-managed accounts could, with parental consent, participate in mixed reality and virtual reality chats and calls. These steps indicate Meta's commitment to building an inclusive, yet controlled virtual community for young users.
By addressing safety and accessibility, Meta is setting a precedent for how technology companies can responsibly introduce younger audiences to virtual environments. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, these measures will be crucial in maintaining trust and ensuring a safe, enriching experience for all users.
