Kids Can Now Use Meta Quest: Minimum Age Lowered

 

Hey you, did you hear the news? Meta Quest, formerly known as Oculus Quest, just lowered their minimum age requirement from 13 years old to 10 years old. That means kids as young as 10 can now experience the wonders of virtual reality. If you’re a kid who has been dying to get their hands on a VR headset or if you’re a parent whose kid won’t stop begging for a Quest, your dreams have finally come true.

The popular all-in-one VR headset used to have an age minimum of 13 due to health and safety regulations, but recent research led Meta Quest to determine that VR can be safe for kids 10 and up with some parental supervision. While the headset is still not recommended for young kids or extended use, occasional VR sessions should now be fine for kids who meet the minimum age and size requirements. Pretty soon, virtual reality may become as common for kids as smartphones and tablets. The future is here, and the future is virtual - even for kids.

Meta Quest Lowers Minimum Age Requirement: Kids Ages 10 and Up Can Now Use VR

Meta Quest has some exciting news for kids and families. The company just announced they've lowered the minimum age requirement for using their virtual reality headsets from 13 years old to 10 years old.

• Kids ages 10 and up can now experience the magic of VR with a Meta Quest 2 headset. This opens up a whole new world of fun and educational experiences for children through immersive VR.

With parental consent and supervision, 10- to 12-year-olds can download kid-friendly apps, games, videos, and other age-appropriate content through the Meta Quest store. Some recommendations for kids include:

• Ocean Rift - an underwater VR adventure where you can swim with dolphins, sharks and whales.

• Coaster Combat - a thrilling VR rollercoaster battle game.

• YouTube VR - watch your favorite YouTube channels, creators and videos in a virtual reality environment.

To use a Meta Quest, 10- and 11-year-olds will need a parent or legal guardian to set up an account and activate parental controls like screen time limits and content restrictions to ensure a safe experience. Parents will also need to provide consent and sign an agreement on behalf of a minor before they can access the system.

With the right parental oversight and age-appropriate content, VR can be an exciting new technology for kids to learn, explore and engage their curiosity in an interactive way. The future is here, and the next generation can now experience it through the power of virtual reality.

Safety and Privacy Features for Younger Users

The new lower age limit is great news for tech-savvy kids, but parents will want to enable some safety features before handing over the headset.

Meta Quest has built-in tools to help keep young users secure. Enable App Lock to password protect the device and lock access to apps you choose. You can also turn on Parental Controls to set daily time limits, monitor the apps used, and block inappropriate content.

To protect privacy, turn off the microphone, cameras and tracking when the headset isn't in use. You should also regularly check your child's friend list and recent multiplayer sessions to make sure they're interacting safely with others.

Educate your child on digital citizenship and set clear rules around behavior. Let them know that harassment and bullying will not be tolerated. Consider enabling the new Voice Safety feature which detects and alerts users to harmful speech.

With proper precautions taken, the Quest can be an enriching experience for kids. But as with any technology, moderation and supervision are key. Set a good example by limiting your own screen time and be fully present when engaging with your child in virtual and augmented realities.

Make Quest time a social, collaborative experience. Play multiplayer games together, explore virtual worlds side by side, and create memories through shared experiences that will last far beyond the time spent in the headset. By guiding them to use technology responsibly at an early age, you’ll help ensure your child develops healthy digital habits to benefit them for years to come.

Parental Controls and Supervision Recommended

As a parent, while Meta’s Quest headsets can provide educational and entertainment benefits for kids, close monitoring and control is advised.

Set Parental Controls

Meta Quest has built-in parental control options that allow you to set limits on your child’s virtual reality (VR) time. You can restrict access to certain apps and features, set time limits for VR usage, and review reports on your child’s VR activity. Be sure to enable these controls before letting your child use the Quest headset.

Choose Age-Appropriate Content

The Meta Quest store offers many free and paid apps, games, videos and other content for all ages. However, some content may not be suitable or appropriate for children. As the parent or guardian, you should evaluate any content before allowing your child to download or experience it in VR. Look for apps, games and videos specifically designed for kids and families.

Supervise Your Child

Especially when first using a VR headset, close supervision of your child is recommended. Watch your child during initial use to ensure they are handling the equipment properly and appropriately. Make sure they remain seated or standing still in a safe play area without obstacles they could bump into. Establish ground rules for using the Quest headset to keep your child safe and teach responsible behavior.

In summary, while the Quest VR system can be an exciting new experience for kids, parents should utilize the built-in parental controls, choose age-appropriate content, and closely supervise their children’s virtual reality use, especially at first. With the right balance of guidance and independence, kids can enjoy discovering virtual worlds with the Meta Quest. But as with any technology, moderation is key.

VR Experiences Suitable and Unsuitable for Kids

Now that Meta Quest headsets are open to kids ages 10 and up, parents will want to consider which VR experiences are suitable and unsuitable for children. While there are many kid-friendly options, some content may be too intense or mature for younger users.

Educational and puzzle experiences

Many VR apps are designed to be entertaining yet enriching for kids. These include educational experiences where children can explore places like museums, landmarks and outer space. Puzzle and problem-solving games that encourage logic and spatial reasoning are also great options. Some highly-rated choices for kids include:

• CoSpaces Edu - Create virtual reality scenes and stories. Kids can build models, characters and worlds.

• Titans of Space PLUS - Learn about the solar system and space travel. Voiceover tailored for kids.

• Ocean Rift - Explore tropical reefs and see sea life up close. Educational info about marine animals and conservation.

Avoid intense or scary content

As with any media, parents should monitor what their kids are accessing in VR. Experiences depicting violence, gore or horror would not be suitable for most children. The same goes for some rollercoaster simulations or anything meant to purposefully induce a scary experience.

Set time limits and take breaks

While high-quality VR content can be beneficial in moderation, long exposure may be an issue for kids. Set reasonable time limits for VR use and have children take breaks to rest their eyes. The AAP recommends limiting screen time for entertainment to 1 to 2 hours per day for ages 6 to 18.

By choosing appropriate experiences, setting limits and staying involved, parents can feel better about kids using Meta Quest. But as with any technology, moderation and balance is key. Supervise your child's VR use and set a good example by limiting your own use as well.

Getting Started: Setting Up Meta Quest for Your Child

Now that Meta Quest headsets are approved for kids ages 10 and up, it’s time to get your child’s headset set up and ready to go. ###Creating an Account

Have your child create their own Meta account to use with Quest. They’ll need to provide their real name, date of birth, and an email address. You should supervise account creation and set parental controls to approve apps and set time limits before they start exploring VR.

Guardian Setup

The Guardian system helps keep players safely in their play area while using Quest. Walk around the play space with your child during Guardian setup to define the boundaries. Make sure the area is clear of obstacles and the floor space is even. For the best experience, choose an area at least 6.5 feet by 6.5 feet.

Parental Controls

Enable parental controls to limit how long your child spends in VR and the kinds of apps they can access. You can set daily time limits, approve apps before they’re installed, block inappropriate content, and view reports on your child’s VR usage and activity. Work with your child to choose apps that encourage active gameplay and social interaction. Some kid-friendly apps to try include Rec Room, Bogo, and Tribe XR.

•Set a password to lock parental controls and prevent changes.

•Start with shorter play sessions, like 30 minutes at a time, and build up from there as your child gets used to VR.

•Demo the apps first to make sure the content is appropriate before approving them.

•Check in on your child during VR to make sure they remain engaged and are following the rules.

With the right setup and supervision, Meta Quest can be an enjoyable and educational experience for kids. Follow these tips to get started and have fun exploring immersive new worlds together!

Conclusion

You've now got the scoop on Meta's decision to lower the minimum age requirement for Quest headsets. While some parents may have mixed feelings about younger kids using VR, Meta is confident they've built in enough safeguards and parental controls to make the experience appropriate and beneficial for ages 10 and up. The good news is, with proper supervision and moderation, VR can be an exciting new way for kids to learn, explore, and connect with friends. The future is shaping up to be an interesting place, and the next generation is poised to help build it. Looks like the kids are alright, and the future of technology is in good hands. The future's so bright, they gotta wear VR shades!