Parents’ Perceptions and Practices Towards Children’s Privacy in the Metaverse: A Research Study

The Metaverse: A New Frontier for Kids, But Are Parents Aware of the Risks?

Virtual reality (VR) has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for children, allowing them to play 3D games, explore historical events, and even travel to outer space, all from the comfort of their living rooms. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at Duke University and North Carolina State University suggests that parents may not fully understand the risks that come with their children’s immersion in the metaverse.

The study, which surveyed 20 parents with children between the ages of six and 17 who use VR at home, found that most parents treat VR like any other form of digital technology, such as social media or smartphones. However, VR devices collect a wealth of data about their users, including eye movements, room layouts, voice recordings, and more, which can be used to infer personal characteristics such as age, gender, and location.

Despite these privacy risks, the study found that most parents were generally unconcerned about threats to their children’s privacy in the virtual world. Instead, they were more worried about physical risks, such as eye strain or potential harm from not being able to see their surroundings while wearing VR goggles. Additionally, parents expressed concerns about the potential for their children to interact with strangers or be exposed to inappropriate content while gaming in VR.

One of the key findings of the study was that many parents had not read the privacy policies of the VR devices their children used, and were more focused on their children sharing too much information with strangers rather than companies collecting and profiting from their data. The researchers emphasized the importance of parents familiarizing themselves with the privacy features of VR devices and called for greater transparency from VR platform designers regarding their security and privacy practices.

As VR technology continues to gain popularity among children, it is essential for parents to educate themselves about the risks and take steps to protect their children’s privacy in the metaverse. By understanding how VR works and being aware of the potential dangers, parents can ensure that their children can safely enjoy the benefits of virtual reality.