Meta has a virtual reality headset.
Parents who bought their children a virtual reality headset for Christmas could be in for a nasty surprise.
The main app of the virtual reality division of Facebook took the top spot in the Apple App Store on Christmas Day.
The company's most popular headset doesn't come with the option to turn on parental controls that let responsible adults block 18+ content and other material that may be harmful for kids.
Child safety features are not included in other headsets, such as Valve's Index. The headset is not suitable for young children. The PS4 and PS5 consoles can be used to set parental controls.
There is little data available on the effects of virtual reality on children's eyes, but experts are worried about the possibility of unsafe material.
Meta has made virtual reality a key part of its business in its pivot to the so-called "metaverse," a shared virtual world in which people can work, play and interact with each other.
The company has a new look that has renewed interest in virtual reality.
Meta does not allow children under the age of 13 to create accounts, and that information is included in the setup process. The International Age Rating Coalition rated all of the content on the website.
The Center for Countering Digital Hate, a non-profit that campaigns for Big Tech firms to root out hate from their platforms, found several instances of child abuse, harassment, racism and pornography in the popular chatroom service.
One clip shared by the CCDH features a user playing a recording praising child abuse, while another shows someone joking about being a convicted sex offender. The organization says that the headsets are not safe for kids.
The metaverse is a haven for hate, pornography and child grooming that connects users not just to each other but to an array of predator.
He said that any parent who gave their child a virtual reality headset for Christmas needs to be aware that they are potentially exposing their children to serious danger.
The app is a cross- platform application, according to Meta. She said that at any given time, players connecting from Quest may be interacting with players connecting from another platform.
$50 million will be invested in global research and program partners by Meta to ensure its metaverse products are developed ethically.
When contacted by CNBC, a person from the makers of VRchat was not available.
The process of setting up the second edition of the virtual reality game takes a few minutes. Users have to be at least 13 years old to link their Facebook account. Younger children can use it if they have access to their parent's account.
Some parents told CNBC they were happy to let their kids use virtual reality if they were under supervision. They were concerned about the lack of parental controls.
The founder of Ustwo, Matt Miller, bought his two children an Oculus headset.
He said that they wanted the kids to have something to show their friends when they came over. They can learn about places they have never been before.
Miller and his partner Lisa think that Meta should be able to filter what kids can see in the game.
Eric Berry, a software engineer based in Utah, says he was tempted to buy his kids an device that had parental controls, but he realized there were no.
Berry said that he hopes they add them soon or it will be a nightmare for parents.
Miller said that his kids enjoy playing games like Beat Saber and the social gaming app Rec Room, and that he thinks virtual reality is a compelling experience. They only play the games that we bought.
