31% Believe Meta’s Decision to Lower the Age Requirement Would Expose Children to Cyber Bullying

Meta’s technology-driven metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds, is facing criticism due to its poor user engagement levels. Despite being a free-to-play platform, most of the user-created worlds on Horizon Worlds remain unvisited. In an attempt to increase its user base, Meta announced plans to lower the minimum age requirement for accessing Horizon Worlds from 18 to 13.

However, lawmakers, child safety experts, and civil society groups have criticized the move, citing concerns about potential risks and dangers for teenagers in the metaverse. Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Ed Markey accused Meta of attempting to lure minors into the metaverse to boost its failing business.

Hence, Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on public opinion on Meta’s decision to allow teenagers in the metaverse to gauge public opinion on Meta’s metaverse platform, Horizon World.

Highlights:

• 56.57% are vaguely aware of Meta’s metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds.
• 57.57% find lawmakers’ and child safety groups’ opposition highly justified.
• Half of the respondents (53%) support Meta’s decision to lower the age requirement for Horizon Worlds.

Meta stated today that Horizon Worlds would be open to young users in the United States and Canada after previously restricting the social VR platform to users 18 and older. As part of the expansion, the company claims it will implement a set of age-appropriate safeguards and default safety settings. Firstly, when we asked our respondents if they were aware of Meta’s metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds, 56.57% said they were vaguely aware, compared to 43.43% who were completely aware.

Meta’s Horizon Worlds to Welcome Younger Players – Results Capture Opinions

Secondly, the survey poll asked the respondents about their stance on Meta lowering its age barriers for accessing Horizon Worlds from 18 to 13. Results indicated that half of the respondents (53%) supported this decision, while 47% opposed it.

Lawmakers have already expressed concern about the influence of Meta’s other products, such as Instagram, on younger users.

“Meta has a track record of abject failure to protect children and teens, and yet again, this company has chosen to put young users at risk so that it can make more money,” Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Ed Markey charged, accusing Meta of “inviting digital disaster.”

“I’m calling on the company to reverse course and immediately abandon this policy change,” Markey continued.

The following Real Research poll polled respondents on their thoughts on the opposition party’s arguments. According to the findings, 57.57% of respondents believe the objections are entirely valid, while 33.12% believe they are partially justifiable. However, 7.19% believe it is somewhat unjustified, and 2.12 believe it is completely unjustified.

Likewise, the next poll asked the respondents about their opinions on Meta’s decision to allow teenagers in the metaverse. Survey results indicated that most (31.4%) are worried that the decision might lead to cyberbullying and adverse impacts on mental health. 26.95% said that Meta is seeking more users and increased revenue for the platform, 22.51%  stated that the decision would provide a creative, social, and learning platform for children, and 19.14% said that teenagers should have the same access to the metaverse as adults.

Furthermore, lawmakers’ accusations of Meta inviting digital disaster to boost its failing platform have received strong support from the public. We asked the respondents about their stance on this and found that 44.61% highly agreed and 41.04% somewhat agreed. However, 11.55% somewhat disagree, and only 2.8% highly disagree with this stance.

Drawbacks of Teenagers Accessing the Metaverse Platform

Results from our survey of respondents’ thoughts on the negative effects of granting minors access to the metaverse showed that 23.52% believed in the possibility of impacting mental health and wellness through online harassment and bigotry.

This was followed by 22.11% who said that this might lead to addiction and overuse, and 21.06% said it might exacerbate negative impacts of social media, such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation. In addition, 16.84% stated concerns over data privacy and protection, and 16.47% indicated no drawbacks.

Advantages of Teenagers Accessing the Metaverse Platform

The next poll, on the other hand, queried participants about the advantages of allowing teenagers in the metaverse. Even though benefits made up the bulk of the replies (22.61%), 20.94% mentioned that it would encourage experimentation and creative expression.

In addition, 17.93% stated they would have intensive learning experiences, 17.86% said they would gain more cultural exposure, and 20.66% said they would have access to global socializing possibilities.

What Factors to Consider Before Allowing Teenagers in the Metaverse?

The survey asked respondents to identify the factors they would consider before allowing their child to use a metaverse platform. The results were as follows: 21.29% said age appropriateness of the platform, 21.15% said content and safety features, 20.39% said privacy and data protection, 19.78% said parental controls and 17.39% cited other reasons.

Lastly, in response to the question, “If you were a parent or a guardian, would you let your child use the metaverse platform?” 59.16% of respondents said yes, while 40.84% said no.