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Is Virtual Reality Safe for Kids?

This Question is in Every Parent's Mind for VR Gadgets

By Gaurav Sharma Software DeveloperPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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Is Virtual Reality Safe for Kids?
Photo by Jessica Lewis on Unsplash

Virtual Reality is a new trend in the entertainment industry whether it is gaming, video gaming, film and production, education everywhere VR is used widely. Most of you have seen that teenagers, youngsters, and somewhere kids are interacting with VR-based equipment but is virtual reality safe for kids?

This question is in everyone’s mind, that here we find out the answers for Is Virtual Reality Safe For Kids?

Now let me tell you one fact that you guys are not aware of: that 12 years or 14 years kids with VR Gadgets are not allowed. All the companies like Samsung, Google, Sony, HTC, Oculus Quest specify that age group for use. For examples:

Samsung Gear VR- Children under the age of 13 years are prohibited to use it.

Google Daydream View- Children under the age of 13 years are prohibited to use it.

Sony Play Station- Children under the age of 12 years are prohibited to use it.

HTC Vive- They do not specify an age group but advise children to not use the product.

Oculus Quest- Children under the age of 14 years are prohibited to use it

This clearly defines that VR under 13 is prohibited by all the VR Gadget companies.

VR Impacts on Childs

By stem.T4L on Unsplash

No doubt, VR is really impressive for everyone but it impacts children in many ways like socially, mentally, or on eyes, etc. Here we discuss VR Impacts on Childs. According to Marientina Gotsis, director of the Behavioral Health Center at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. that mentioned that in the early stage if children use VR then they can not differentiate the difference between reality and fantasy.

VR Effect on Children Brain

By Fakurian Design on Unsplash

Research conducted by the University of California on rats defines that the behavior of certain neurons is not able to develop in certain parts of the brain. More than half of neurons closed down when interacting with Virtual Reality. This defines that the overall development of human brains reacts the same as defined. It has a very bad effect on children’s minds also.

Virtual Reality Effect On Children’s Eyes

By bady abbas on Unsplash

One of the biggest concerns about VR is its effect on children’s eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it is defined that continuous watching Virtual Reality causes weak eyesight, fatigue, and strain in children. This is just because we do not blink eyes as compared to the regular blink needed to our eyes.

Virtual Reality Vergence-Accommodation Conflict Effect on Kids

There is one other effect that is known as the vergence-accommodation conflict effect that is something related to the operation of image development in our eyes. When you see any object in the real world, you first point to the eyeballs-vergence and then focus on the lenses-accommodation-on an object. These two operations are necessary for the construction of coherent pictures.

Now, these days VR headsets present each eye with different images on a flat screen to achieve the illusion of depth.

VR is not Suitable for Under 12, Why?

By Caleb Woods on Unsplash

Here we clearly mentioned that VR is not suitable for the under 12 because it impacts the brain, eyes, and overall development of the children. These children under 12 are very sensitive. If they face this problem in childhood then it is not possible to grow naturally.

Conclusion

It is clearly defined that VR under 13 shows very crucial impacts on children. That’s why all the VR gadget companies mark on their products and prohibit Children from using them. We also want to suggest you keep away your children from Virtual Reality products till the age of 15 Years & try to teach them about the real world.

If you need Virtual Reality software development for your next VR device, BR Softech will provide top-notch services on Virtual Reality app and software development.

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About the Creator

Gaurav Sharma Software Developer

I am a software developer at a renowned IT company, BR Softech. They offer a variety of services related to software, apps, and website development. You can find more information on their website here: https://www.brsoftech.com

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