Meta Plans to Open its Flagship Horizon Worlds VR to 13-17 Year Olds in Search of More Metaverse Users

According to reports, Meta will open its flagship Horizon Worlds VR application to teenagers aged 13 to 17 in the United States and Canada in the coming weeks, in search of more metaverse users. (Wall Street Journal)

Meta will open the Horizon Worlds VR application to teenagers in the United States and Canada in the coming weeks

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has been making waves with its upcoming metaverse, a virtual space that promises to revolutionize social interaction and even impact the way we live our daily lives. In line with this vision, Meta has announced that it will be opening its flagship Horizon Worlds VR application to teenagers aged 13 to 17 in the United States and Canada in the coming weeks, in search of more metaverse users.

What is Meta?

Before getting into what the metaverse is and what Meta’s plans are for it, it’s essential to know what Meta is. Meta is a social networking company that was previously known as Facebook. The company was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and has since become one of the largest companies in the world, with over 3 billion monthly active users across its various platforms.

The Metaverse

The metaverse is a term coined to describe a virtual world that we can live, work, and play in. It represents the next generation of the internet, where people can be present in a virtual space and interact with others in real-time. Meta sees the metaverse as the next frontier of social media, and it has been investing heavily in building the technology needed to make it a reality.

Horizon Worlds VR

Horizon Worlds VR is Meta’s flagship application for the metaverse. It’s a virtual world where users can create their own avatars and explore new virtual spaces. The application is still in beta testing, but it has already attracted thousands of users who are excited about the potential of the metaverse.

Why Open Horizon Worlds VR to Teenagers?

Meta’s decision to open up Horizon Worlds VR to teenagers is a strategic move aimed at increasing its user base in the metaverse. By targeting this age group, Meta hopes to get more people into the metaverse at an earlier age, creating a new generation of users who will shape the future of the virtual world.
One reason for targeting teenagers is that they are more likely to be early adopters of new technology. They are also more likely to be interested in socializing and connecting with friends online, making the metaverse an appealing alternative to traditional social media platforms.

The Importance of Safety

Opening up a virtual world to teenagers comes with its fair share of risks. Meta has emphasized its commitment to safety and has implemented various measures to protect young users. These measures include age verification, parental consent, and community guidelines that govern acceptable behavior within the virtual world.
Meta has also made it clear that it will not collect any data from teenagers using Horizon Worlds VR, addressing concerns about privacy and online safety.

The Future of the Metaverse

Meta’s plans for the metaverse are ambitious, and opening up Horizon Worlds VR to teenagers is just the first step. The company hopes to build a virtual world that is as engaging and immersive as the real world, with endless possibilities for social interaction, commerce, and entertainment.
The metaverse is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen how it will be received by the public. However, Meta’s decision to open up Horizon Worlds VR to teenagers is an indication that the company believes in the potential of the virtual world, and it’s willing to invest in its future.

Conclusion

Meta’s decision to open up its flagship Horizon Worlds VR application to teenagers is a strategic move aimed at increasing its user base in the metaverse. Opening up the metaverse to young users comes with its risks, but Meta has emphasized its commitment to safety and privacy. As the metaverse continues to evolve, it’s clear that Meta sees it as the future of social media and is willing to invest heavily in its development.

FAQs

1. What is the metaverse?
The metaverse is a virtual world that is being developed by companies like Meta to create a new way of socializing online.
2. Why is Meta opening up Horizon Worlds VR to teenagers?
Meta is opening up Horizon Worlds VR to teenagers in search of more metaverse users and to create a new generation of users who will shape the future of the virtual world.
3. How is Meta ensuring safety for young users?
Meta has implemented various measures to protect young users, including age verification, parental consent, and community guidelines that govern acceptable behavior within the virtual world.