Parent Guide: What is Metaverse?

If you've been online in the last few months or years, you probably have heard metaverse. Everyone is touting that the metaverse will change how we interact with the internet and each other online. But, of course, there has been a lot of buzz about the concept for a while now. Pokémon Go is one typical example of a metaverse.

Metaverse is a digital world that allows users to create and interact with objects using virtual reality. It allows users to create their 3D avatars and interact with others in a social setting. For example, half of all American children spend time in the mini-metaverse known as Roblox. Also, scholars are researching how the metaverse affects education, for example, using an augmented reality T-shirt that would allow students to learn anatomy.

But is it safe for children to spend endless time in this virtual world? This post will introduce you more to know what metaverse is by discussing its features. Let's dive in!

What is the Metaverse?

The term "metaverse" is a combination of the words "metadata" and "universe." It was first mentioned in 1992 by writer Neal Stephenson in his science-fiction novel Snow Crash. In the story, the metaverse is a virtual world where people can interact with each other and create their avatars.

Metaverse was generally described as a shared virtual 3D world in which everyone will be able to communicate via their customized avatars. It'll be the marriage of the online environment with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). In this virtual world, you may practically do all of the same activities that we do in the actual world, from going out with friends to shopping to working to traveling to attending entertainment shows and playing games.

What is the Metaverse Facebook?

Facebook Metaverse was introduced when Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, concluded the Facebook Connect 2021 main keynote. Facebook's metaverse is a carefully linked collection of digital realms that allows users to immerse themselves in virtual reality, create their avatars, and interact with others in a social setting.

Zuckerberg aims to unleash Facebook's metaverse's potential, where he likened his company's version of the metaverse to being the "successor to mobile internet."

With Facebook's Metaverse, Zuckerberg wants to develop the next version of the internet, in which you will not be restricted to just passive consumption and reaction. Instead, it will transport you on an immersive journey that will change how you socialize, work, shop, play, and interact with the world around you.

Why Kids like Metaverse?

There are a few key reasons kids are so drawn to the metaverse.

• It is an entirely immersive experience. When you enter the metaverse, you leave the real world behind and enter a digital one where anything is possible. This is especially appealing to kids who might feel limited in their day-to-day lives.
• The metaverse is a social platform where kids can connect with friends worldwide. They can explore new places and meet new friends while staying safe in their own homes.
• The metaverse is constantly evolving. There are always new things to see and do, which keeps kids coming back for more.

Kids now seem to like the metaverse more than video games. In the metaverse, they can be whoever they want to be. They make their avatars and can design their world inside the metaverse, a far cry from the traditional video game, where you are limited to many characters and environments. Instead, the metaverse offers infinite possibilities, which is why kids are so drawn to it.

Video game companies also play a significant role in the metaverse creation saga. As a result, parents may need to explore the online games Gen Z children enjoyed, also known as "mini-millennials," born between 2011 and 2025, to comprehend the metaverse and its attractiveness better.

Most of our metaverse engines were created to run on these platforms, also known as MOBAs, including games such as Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox. All of these video games have developed meta universes that incorporate the basic building blocks of the metaverse. These universes are private, and the game developers have complete control over what happens in them.

In the coming years, we'll see more and more video game companies create their metaverse universes. It's already happening with games like Pokémon GO and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. We can expect to see even bigger and better metaverse universes in the future as video game companies continue to push the envelope.

How could Kids Use Metaverse?

There are many potential uses for the metaverse, but here are a few of the most popular ways kids are using it:

1. Socializing: The Metaverse is an excellent way for kids to stay connected with friends worldwide. They can explore new places and meet new people while in the comfort and safety of their homes.

2. Learning: A Metaverse is an excellent place for kids to learn about new things. There are always new things to seek and explore.

3. Escaping from reality: The Metaverse is an excellent way for kids to escape the limitations of the real world. They can be whoever they want and explore new places without being restricted at home.

4. Gaming: Metaverse can strengthen kids' sense of the game they enjoy. There are always new games to play, and the possibilities are endless. Roblox is an excellent example of a Metaverse gaming platform.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the metaverse. As more and more companies create their metaverse universes, we can expect to see even bigger and better things in the future.

Benefits of Metaverse

Several known and potential advantages of a metaverse include entertainment, exercise, socializing, and even medical use.

Medical: VR and AR games have been studied in medical research for years. And virtual or augmented reality treatments are being tested for anxiety and phobia in adults and children. VERA is one such project which uses biofeedback and VR to help adolescents and teens master their emotions. In addition, there's a lot of interest in using virtual reality headsets for autism treatment.

Education: The Metaverse can be used for educational purposes such as training medical students or teaching people about different cultures. For example, the game "MinecraftEDU" is already being used in schools to teach children about STEM subjects. Tami Bhaumik, vice president of civility and partnerships at Roblox, said, "In the future, dabbling in creation on the platform could easily be one of the top ways for people to get into STEM; learn coding and digital design skills."

Training: Metaverse can help to train employees or give presentations to clients. It can also be used to create virtual stores or showrooms. For example, VR has been used in the military for years to train soldiers for combat. Likewise, simulations have been used by pilots, drivers, and other professionals for training for years.

Social: Metaverse also benefits socialization. For example, there are already virtual clubs and bars where people can meet and socialize with someone worldwide. In addition, teens and young adults require significantly more peer interaction than adults over 24.

"Many kids and teens don't find a connection in real life—they have come to Roblox and found community and acceptance," commented Bhaumik. "Kids are bullied in real life and find kind people on Roblox. We've heard from many families how Roblox has become 'a lifeline,' helping kids and teens stay in touch with their friends and extended family over the past few years."

As you can see, there are many potential benefits of the metaverse. It is a platform that is constantly evolving and expanding. We can expect to see even more amazing things in the future.

What should Parents Know about Metaverse?

The metaverse is a constantly evolving platform, and new features and updates are released. By understanding the metaverse and being aware of what your child is doing while in it, you can help them have a positive experience. And it's undeniable that it also can bring about some issues though metaverse is regarded as the gift of the future. Therefore, parents need to know what it is and how it works.

Here are a few things that parents should know about before granting your kids fully access to metaverse:

1. Not every metaverse is appropriate for every age, and not every app within it is suitable for youngsters. Roblox was created with young children in mind. Chat filters or the option to disable chat are available in Roblox for youngsters under 13; make use of it.

2. There is a possibility that your child may find violent games or games with sexual or suggestive content. Thus, monitoring your kids’ online activity becomes essential. You can rely on Wondershare FamiSafe if you need an app to set parental control on your kids’ devices. At the same time, don’t forget to teach your kids how to report abuse.

3. The online world is the perfect place for predators to find victims. Therefore, it is necessary to educate kids not to give out personal information, such as their real name, address, or phone number. And kids also need to be cautious about the websites shared by strangers, which may carry malware, or be used for collecting personal information, even credit card.

4. Using VR headsets for extended periods can cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness for both kids and adults.

5. The long time spent on metaverse may affect kids' feelings about the real world. And once kids face any problem in their life, they may seek metaverse for help to escape the reality instead of trying to solve the problem, which is not suitable for kids' development.

Tips for Kids on Metaverse

Here are a few tips to help you keep your kids safe while they're in the metaverse:

• Choose an appropriate metaverse for your child's age. Many options are available, such as Roblox, Linden Lab's Sansar, and High Fidelity.
• Teach your kids how to deal with hostile actors and flawed characters in the metaverse. Show your youngsters by example and show them how to act in hazardous situations. Make sure to call attention to your children when someone is asking questions that could be impolite or intended to expose their personal information.
• Monitor your child's activity and chat messages, which can help you spot any potential problems early on. FamiSafe is one of the most reliable parental control apps you can trust: it enables you to detect suspicious content, limit screen time, block apps, filter websites on kids' devices, etc.
• Teach your child not to give out personal information to strangers.
• Report any inappropriate content or abusive behavior to the metaverse administrators.
• Limit the amount of time your child spends in the metaverse. Some studies recommend that parents limit their children's virtual reality gaming consoles to twenty minutes each day or less. It is also critical to establish breaks to avoid eye strain and nausea.
• Keep being informed about the latest news and updates regarding the metaverse. For example, you can check out the latest updates about the new VR headsets that are being released.

Conclusion

The metaverse is a constantly evolving platform, and more and more kids are spending time in it. But is it safe for kids? The short answer is: it depends. You wouldn't send your five-year-old to a nightclub, and you probably wouldn't want them playing an 18-rated video game unsupervised either. Most popular metaverses will offer parental controls so you can restrict what your child sees and who they interact with.

Each metaverse has its own rules, culture, and community. There are good and bad people in the metaverse like in the real world. In addition, some games and activities are appropriate for different age groups; by understanding the metaverse and being aware of what your child is doing while in it, you can help them have a positive experience.

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