Keep Kids Out of the Metaverse, Mark Zuckerberg Activists Plead

Meta executive Mark Zuckerberg has been warned that children's access to the Metaverse could expose them to offensive content. Credit: Erin Scott/REUTERS

Child safety advocates and internet watchers have urged Mark Zuckerberg to stop his «terrifying» actions. plans to allow children into the metaverse.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is preparing to open its virtual reality social network for children aged 13 to 17.

In the digital world known as the metaverse , users interact in 3D environments with other people wearing virtual reality headsets.

However, activists fear that children and teenagers will face abuse on the platform.

Josh Golin, CEO of Fairplay, said: “The terrible thing is that Mark Zuckerberg wants to save his failed Horizons World platform by targeting teenagers. Children are already being subjected to homophobia, racism, sexism and other objectionable content at Horizon Worlds"

A coalition of 36 digital advocacy groups, including Fair Play for Kids and Common Sense Media, warned Meta head Mr. Zuckerberg that the virtual universe could amplify the worst aspects of social media for teen users.

Group' s claimed that the VR apps in Meta's Horizon Worlds are already brimming with potentially offensive content.

The letter to Mr. Zuckerberg said: «Parents would be shocked to learn what goes on behind closed doors at Horizon Worlds, where kids and teens are being targeted with offensive behavior and harmful content.»

Meta has invested billions in the metaverse and virtual reality products like Quest Pro. Credit: Nick Kouri/Bloomberg

Horizon Worlds, Meta's flagship VR app for the Quest headset, is currently set to be limited to more than 18 users. However, other apps are listed as being suitable for users aged 13 and over.

The Digital Hate Action Center report released in March also identified instances of Horizon Worlds being used by users who said they were under 18 years of age. It claimed that researchers found several instances of overt sexual harassment and racist slurs in Horizon Worlds.

The letter to Mr. Zuckerberg stated: “[The] risks of harm to young people due to social media and overuse of digital devices. most likely to be present and potentially magnified in an immersive virtual reality environment.”

Meta has faced criticism for its social media apps potentially negatively impacting teens' mental health. An internal Instagram study, leaked in 2021, found that teenage girls felt the app worsened their relationship with their bodies. Many teen suicides have been linked to the harmful use of social media.

The tech giant claims that in many cases, its research has shown that teens have a positive attitude towards social media.

A spokesperson for Meta said: “Before we make Horizon Worlds accessible to teens, we will have additional protections and tools in place to help provide them with age-appropriate experiences.

“The Quest headphones are designed for people aged 13 to 43. and we encourage parents and guardians to use our parental controls, including managing access to apps, to help keep them safe.”

Horizon Worlds offers digital worlds designed specifically for older audiences, called &# 34 ;mature" worlds that may have more suggestive themes, such as alcohol or violence.