Virtual reality (VR) is highly popular among adults as well as kids. VR headsets offer cool 3D worlds and games that are not fun abreast of a learning experience. It is important as parents to understand both the good and not-so-good parts of it to keep our kids safe.
Kids enjoy going into make-believe worlds where they can be whoever they want and discover new places. Well, there is a small challenge – sometimes, kids might get confused between what happens in the virtual world and what happens in real life.
One worry is that kids might remember things from VR like they really happened. Because VR feels so real, kids might mix up their virtual adventures with things in the real world. Even though experts are still figuring this out, some studies show that kids can have memories, even upsetting ones, from VR.
Another concern is about cyber crimes. In VR, there is a risk of people tricking kids into doing things they actually should not. Some online mates might pretend to be friends, but they are not. Scarily, there has been an increase in cases where people try to talk to kids in a way that is not okay.
To make sure our kids have a blast in VR while staying safe, we parents need to be on top of things. Try out VR yourself to see what your kids experience and who they talk to. Check the settings on VR devices to make sure they have the right safety features turned on.
Talking openly with our kids is super important too. Encourage them to share their VR adventures and any weird stuff that happens.
Being in the know, trying out VR with our kids, and talking about their experiences can make the virtual journey both fun and safe.
