Meta is making significant strides to open its virtual reality platform, Horizon Worlds, to preteens aged 10 to 12. This exciting announcement allows young users, under parental approval, to experience engaging social hangout spaces created for their age group, such as "The Space Station" and "The Aquarium." The move is part of Meta's initiative to address long-standing operational challenges surrounding user safety and provide families with extensive control over their children's online activity.
Until recently, Horizon Worlds was primarily targeted at adults, with its original VR focus making it unsuitable for children. Yet, with the changing tides of digital engagement and the popularity of platforms like Roblox, which caters to millions of younger users, Meta appears eager to tap this key demographic.
Beginning this month, preteens with parent-managed accounts will be able to send requests for access to specific experiences on Horizon Worlds. Meta has emphasized the importance of creating safe, age-appropriate environments with its new systems, which include detailed age ratings for experiences: 10+, 13+, and 18+. This rating helps parents discern which content their children can access, ensuring they are shielded from any inappropriate material.
“Worlds can offer preteens access to a variety of fun, engaging and age-appropriate places to hang out with friends and family—no matter where they happen to be, both in-headset and on mobile,” is how Meta articulated this new endeavor.
The parental controls are comprehensive. Voice chat will be disabled by default for preteen accounts, which can only be re-enabled for select, trusted contacts, ensuring minimal risk of unwanted interactions. Coupled with features like automatic offline status for young users and personal boundaries preventing others from crowding avatars, these safeguards aim to create safer digital interactions.
Beyond just parental controls, Horizon Worlds is stepping up its content curation efforts. Meta's Trust, Transparency & Control Labs have collaborated with third parties to design experiences explicitly for this younger audience. They assert their commitment to encouraging creators to build more enriching and age-appropriate experiences, broadening the appeal for their newest users.
Interestingly, the expansion of Horizon Worlds is not only significant for young audiences but also for Meta as it competes with other platforms vying for attention in the vast digital playground. Roblox, for example, already has millions of active preteen users engaging with its offerings. Meta’s move to boost Horizon Worlds’ accessibility might be pivotal to winning over families concerned about the safety and appeal of virtual experiences.
Initially launched as Meta’s flagship virtual reality product, Horizon Worlds has faced its fair share of critiques concerning user interactions within the platform. Concerns about hate speech, harassment, and inappropriate content prompted calls for comprehensive measures to protect minors online. This was especially relevant following numerous complaints from parents and watchdog organizations.
With the scope of incidents surfacing, including minors being subjected to inappropriate conversations and potential predatory behavior, Meta had to rethink its strategy surrounding minors on its platforms. The company previously announced expanded parental permissions to allow caretakers to approve individual contacts and experiences for their children, which adds another layer of monitoring.
Going back to the essence of Horizon Worlds, it operates within the broader metaverse concept, creating virtual spaces where users can socialize, play games, or engage creatively. By allowing preteens access, Meta hopes to blend fun with learning, incorporating educational worlds among the gaming experiences to resonate with both children and their parents seeking something more than mere entertainment for their kids.
This opening up of Horizon Worlds reflects Meta’s larger commitment to developing the metaverse and its attractiveness to younger audiences and families. Such efforts may reshape how parents and kids perceive digital spaces and their associated risks, addressing long-standing skepticism toward the platform.
Comments from users about the new age-appropriate worlds being rolled out have been mixed, with some excitement among children eager to engage with virtual spaces they might not have previously accessed. Critics, on the other hand, remain cautious, debating whether companies like Meta can responsibly navigate the pressures of catering to very young users without compromising security.
There continues to be significant scrutiny placed on Meta by regulators and advocacy groups, which raises concerns over the inherent risks of having children engage on social media platforms, even with parental controls. The negative ramifications linked to various social media interfaces have prompted discussions about mental health, with opponents arguing for more stringent regulations and protections.
Despite these potential challenges, Meta’s Horizon Worlds appears determined to carve its niche within the metaverse space for preteens by emphasizing safety and supervision. The possibilities for educational advancements, unique social interactions, and creative escapades seem boundless, provided they follow the guidelines set forth by Meta’s newly established policies.
