What is the right age to go for your first experience of Virtual Reality gaming ? Whether its using a VR headset or visiting a VR arcade like MirageVR, Mississauga, should you go for it ?
An experience of the simulated and immersive environment which may be similar or totally different from the real world is known as Virtual reality. The virtual reality system currently uses a headset or multi projected environment to create realistic sound, images, and sensations.
Virtual reality gaming is the future of games and entertainment. It is equally popular in kids, teenagers, youngsters, and mature people. Initially, all the activities related to VR headsets were restricted to the age of 7 plus then it was raised to 13 to play safer.
The reasons for these restrictions are clear:
- Till the age of 7 years, a Child's vision is not fully formed.
- Continued use of VR headsets can source quite an atrophy in children.
- In VR our brain has to interpret two images at the same time while both eyes capture a single image.
- Alteration of the vision process for a long time in kids can cause permanent issues for your children health.
Due to all these reasons, it is better not to allow your children to play VR gaming until the age of 7. Immersing yourself completely in a VR environment is a wonderful experience. As the developers are trying harder to encourage new experiences everyone should have the option to feel the magic of VR.
Then why not our kids, though? Is it really secure to use a VR headset for our kids? If, the answer is yes then what rules must be followed to use these headsets for our kids?
The great news is its completely ok to allow your children of age the age 7 use VR. But still, it is your responsibility to make sure the safety of kids into the world of VR gaming. To avoid the risk of danger parents have to take some compulsory measures.
Most importantly parents should keep an eye on the suggested age for the hardware their kids are using. Most of the headsets suggest age 13. Such as Samsung’s Gear VR and Merge Mini. It is a lot more to deal with headsets designs rather than safety. These headsets have fixed lenses that cannot be fixed according to IPD (interpapillary distance) for a satisfactory VR experience. This incorrect IPD increases the potential of eye strain.
Complicated headsets like HTC vibe and windows mixed reality headsets have some other rules to follow. They provide adjustable lenses according to IPD, which can be adjusted according to the user. But still, it is difficult to adjust IPD for kids.
The distance between kid’s eyes and size of their heads is not the part of general specifications.
All these are just precautionary measures. The most effective way to use a VR for your kids is to take a break of at least 10 minutes after an hour. And everything is going to be fine. The latest designed headsets and VR gaming studios have minimized the risk of any hazard to the minimum. Now kids can also enjoy VR gaming safely and can experience this amazing technology with no risks.
Now there are several games available for the kids of age 7 or 7 plus e.g. Dragon Ball VR, Arise stealth hounds PvP shooter and Evangeline VR. It is good to let your kids experience Asteroids and Henry, but for a short time period and under your supervision. Introduce your kids with the awesome technology of VR gaming’s but remember:
- Make sure your kids use VR for a very short time. Smaller time for a smaller kid is the golden rule to follow.
- Don’t leave them alone and help them when they want
- Make their VR experience super easy and super comfortable.
Enjoy VR gaming!