While VR headsets have become more mainstream gaming devices in recent years, they're also closely associated with what's known as the metaverse, which is a much broader vision for shared online spaces.
While VR headsets have become more mainstream gaming devices in recent years, the gadgets are also closely associated with what's known as the metaverse - a broader vision for shared online spaces.It has led to concerns about youngsters being given unchecked access to environments like 3D chat rooms, where people wearing headsets are represented by avatars.
Kate Edwards, acting associate head for child safety online at the NSPCC, said:"Parents who may be thinking about purchasing a VR headset for their child this Christmas need to be aware of the risks young users currently face when given access to what, at this stage, is an unregulated world." Polling for the NSPCC shows that while one in five parents would buy a VR headset for their child if they could, more than two-thirds of the public lack confidence that child safety is a priority in the metaverse.The charity said young people had shared their experience of online VR with its Childline counselling service.One student of secondary school age said:"Recently I met a guy on my VR game, and I'm confused about how I should feel about him.
"He's really bad, like he always makes sexual comments towards me and asks me to 'kiss' him in the game."Nobody gives me that kind of affection in the real world. I guess that's why I use VR, so I can look and be like someone I'm not, and it makes me feel good about myself.
Ms Edwards said:"But this responsibility should not just be on parents. Tech companies must do more to ensure the safety of children on existing products, as well as for ones they roll out in the future.that accounts for advancements in technology and ensures new devices and platforms are created with child protection at their heart.", but greeted with concerns that it had been watered down compared to previous government commitments.
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