Meta ‘Horizon Worlds’ to Allow Children Ages 13 to 17 Use the Platform—Are There Safeguards?

Meta is taking a big leap from its previous restrictions on the "Horizon Worlds" VR experience, where it would soon allow underaged children from 13 to 17 years old to join the platform. Previously, the company restricted the underaged community from joining and entering the VR platform due to significant concerns about their safety and privacy.

The goal is to invite more people in using the VR experience and immerse themselves in an alternate world where they could be anyone they want, and be free to do countless things on this platform.

Meta 'Horizon Worlds' To Soon Allow Children 13 to 17 to Join

According to a report by The Verge, Meta is already looking into expanding access to "Horizon Worlds" by allowing gamers aged 13 to 17 years old to join the platform. Initially, it only accepted participants aged 18 years old and above, and this is part of the safety and security for children, especially in an unexplored app.

The information regarding this expansion came from The Wall Street Journal's report, after obtaining an internal memo that confirms the access for the younger age group to the virtual world.

The report claims that this decision is also part of the company's goals to drive more users in signing up or returning to the VR experience, as there has been a drop in its user base.

Will There be Safeguards from Meta for the Children?

Meta already announced via "Horizon Worlds" version 96 release notes about some safeguards for when children come flocking in the virtual reality platform.

Creators are now required to label their worlds with age-specific content, either it is for "Everyone" or the "18+" users only.

There are also other features already available on the platform including Safety Bubbles and Voice Mode for a safer experience.

Meta's VR Social Platform, 'Horizon Worlds'

The highly-anticipated "Horizon Worlds" app and VR experience was opened for public access in December 2021, and it became a massive hit because of its promises that resemble the metaverse. This particular program is a gateway to the metaverse, where people could share experiences and socialize, along with other activities to do online.

In early 2022, the platform saw massive success in getting people to signup and try out the experience, with a growing 300,000 VR users using it and going back and forth to the virtual world.

Its instant success was met with a massive downtrend though, as it failed to retain its increasing numbers and have people go back and live their lives in this alternate reality.

Meta is still intent on creating a real metaverse, one that would offer more than what 'Horizon Worlds' bring to the world now, but it is not quite available yet. Now, it is looking to different approaches and availability to the public, with "Horizon Worlds" soon opening its gates to a younger audience, those from the 13 to 17 age groups that were once restricted from the VR experience.