Meta Permits Preteens to Access Horizon Worlds with Parental Consent

Meta is opening up new possibilities for preteens to dive into its Horizon Worlds virtual reality platform, but with their parents taking the driver’s seat. This comes with a set of restrictions aimed at keeping the experience safe and age-appropriate.

In a recent announcement, Meta revealed that parents would soon get the chance to green-light specific worlds for their kids aged 10 to 12, allowing them to explore fun places like The Space Station, enjoy the wonders of The Aquarium, or race in the Spy School game. If a preteen has their eye on a particular world, they can simply ask their parents for access, or moms and dads can browse and handpick experiences they’d like to share with their children.

To further enhance safety, Meta has rolled out a new rating system that categorizes VR worlds into 10+, 13+, or 18+ ratings. This makes it easier for parents to approve all 10+ worlds at once, effectively hiding any 18+ content from their preteens. Preteens won’t get follower suggestions, and their status is set to “offline” to keep them under the radar, unless their parents decide otherwise.

Adding an extra layer of personal space, the “Personal Boundary” setting is automatically on, meaning avatars have a protective bubble about two virtual feet wide, preventing others from crowding them.

This move comes after Meta allowed parents to approve specific contacts their children could communicate with or invite for VR activities. A recent change also requires users of Meta Quest 2 or 3 to confirm their date of birth before diving into the device.

These parent-managed accounts have been around since June 2023. However, not all parents are convinced these measures are sufficient. Skepticism lingers due to past issues Meta has faced regarding the safety of younger users on its platforms.

Earlier this year, controversy hit when it surfaced that Meta had allegedly been promoting its messaging services to kids underage, despite being aware of adult content issues—a claim revealed in a lawsuit by New Mexico’s Department of Justice. Additionally, another legal case brought by 42 U.S. state attorneys alleges Meta designed its products in a way that lures children in, with concerning effects on their mental health.