A Parent's Guide to Safeguarding Your Child in Virtual Reality

Before your child puts on a VR headset, it’s worth pausing. Virtual reality is not just gaming. It is a live social environment, often with voice chat and shared spaces. Use this checklist to reduce risk and increase safeguarding.

Understanding Virtual Reality

1. Do You Understand What VR Actually Is?

VR places your child inside environments where they can:

• Hear and speak to other people

• Enter public or private rooms

• Watch videos or interact socially

  
  

If you haven’t tried the headset yourself, start there. Understanding the technology is the first step in ensuring your child's safety.

2. Do You Know Which Apps Your Child Is Using?

Some apps are:

• Single-player or activity-based

• Highly social with open voice chat

  
  

Social VR apps carry much higher safeguarding risks than games played alone. Familiarise yourself with the apps your child is using to better understand their experiences.

3. Have You Checked the Age Guidance Properly?

Platforms linked to Meta state:

• Parent-managed accounts for ages 10–12 (region dependent)

• 13+ for standard accounts

  
  

Age guidance exists for a reason. If a platform is designed for older users, it is not child-safe simply because a child can access it.

Setting Up Safeguards

4. Have You Set Parental Controls – and Do You Know Their Limits?

Parental controls can help, but they are not fail-safe.

• Settings can be misunderstood

• Controls can sometimes be bypassed

• They do not prevent all exposure to other users

  
  

Controls support safeguarding. They do not replace it. Make sure you understand how to use these tools effectively.

5. Does Your Child Understand They Are in a Shared Space?

Children need to know:

• Not everyone online is who they say they are

• Not all spaces are safe or appropriate

• They can leave immediately if something feels wrong

  
  

Safeguarding conversations matter more than rules alone. Encourage your child to communicate openly about their experiences.

6. Are You Supervising Access to Social VR?

Young people should not be:

• Using social VR unsupervised

• Entering public rooms alone

• Spending long periods in VR without breaks

  
  

Treat VR like a real-world environment, not a toy. Your supervision is crucial in ensuring their safety.

Encouraging Healthy Habits

7. Have You Talked About Language and Behaviour?

Children may hear:

• Racist or sexist language

• Sexualised comments

• Aggressive or distressing speech

  
  

Talk openly about what is not acceptable and what to do if it happens. Equip your child with the tools to handle uncomfortable situations.

8. Do You Know Where to Report Concerns?

If something worrying happens:

• Online sexual harm or grooming: report to CEOP

• Fraud, coercion, or cybercrime: report via Action Fraud

  
  

Reporting protects children beyond your own family. Make sure your child knows how to report issues they encounter.

9. Is VR Balanced with Real-World Life?

VR should not replace:

• Offline friendships

• School, family, and hobbies

• Sleep, routine, and real-world connection

  
  

Heavy reliance on virtual spaces can increase vulnerability. Encourage your child to maintain a healthy balance between their virtual and real-life interactions.

A Final Safeguarding Reminder

This is not about trusting or distrusting your child. It’s about understanding the environment you are placing them in. Being informed is one of the strongest safeguarding tools a parent has.

If you want support, guidance, or parent-friendly resources on digital wellbeing and online safety, visit: www.priormindset.com.

If you would like support navigating online safety and digital safeguarding, parent sessions are available through Prior Mindset. These sessions provide clear, practical guidance around online safety and digital wellbeing.

With warm wishes,

Jerri Prior

BABCP Highly Specialist Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist

Registered Social Worker

Founder, Prior Mindset - Putting Your Mental Health First

Additional Resources for Parents

As a parent, it's essential to stay informed. Here are some additional resources that can help you navigate the complexities of virtual reality and online safety:

• Educational Websites: Look for websites that offer courses or articles on digital parenting and online safety.

• Community Forums: Join forums where parents share their experiences and tips regarding VR and online safety.

• Workshops: Consider attending workshops that focus on digital wellbeing and safeguarding in the digital age.

  
  

Conclusion

Navigating the world of virtual reality can be daunting. However, with the right knowledge and tools, you can help your child explore this exciting technology safely. Remember, open communication and understanding are key. Your involvement makes a significant difference in their online experiences.