Meta Expands Horizon Worlds for Preteens with New Parental Controls

Meta's Horizon Worlds Now Open for Preteens: What You Need to Know

Meta has recently made waves by announcing that its immersive 3D social platform, Horizon Worlds, is now accessible to users aged 10 to 12. This decision marks a significant shift for the platform and raises various questions about online safety, parental control, and the future of social interaction in virtual environments.

Parental Controls and Age Ratings

To ensure a safe environment for younger users, Meta has implemented stringent parental controls. For a preteen to access Horizon Worlds, they must have a parent-managed Meta account. Parents play a vital role by having to approve their child's access to the platform and any specific experiences within it.

Moreover, experiences on Horizon Worlds will be categorized with age ratings, making it easier for parents to navigate what is suitable for their children. The ratings include:

• Ages 10 and up
• Ages 13 and up
• Ages 18 and up

Enhanced Safety Features for Younger Users

Meta has taken additional measures to ensure child safety within Horizon Worlds. Among these are:

• Voice Chat Restrictions: The voice chat feature is disabled for accounts managed by parents, although parents can selectively enable it for specific contacts.
• Online Status Management: Preteens will show as offline by default unless parents choose to change this setting.
• Personal Boundaries: The personal boundary feature will automatically activate for preteen accounts, preventing other users from getting too close in the virtual space.

Accessibility Beyond VR

Previously, Horizon Worlds was limited to VR headsets. However, Meta has expanded its accessibility by allowing some experiences to be enjoyed via the Meta Horizon mobile app. This redesign further emphasizes Horizon Worlds, making virtual socializing more accessible to a wider audience.

Communication Features for Preteens

As of last month, preteen users with parent-managed accounts can interact with others through chat or calls, provided they receive parental approval. This adds a new social dimension, enabling preteens to connect in both mixed reality and virtual reality.

Conclusion

The introduction of preteens to Horizon Worlds is a significant step in fostering a younger generation's engagement with emerging digital platforms. By implementing robust parental controls and safety features, Meta aims to create a secure space for young users to explore social interactions in the virtual landscape.

Learn More About Horizon Worlds

For more insights on Horizon Worlds and its impact on virtual social environments, visit our articles on Trends in Virtual Reality and Parental Controls in Gaming.