virtual reality headset -- OK for an 11-year-old if limited to 30 minutes, and just a few times each week?

[Anonymous]

I have read a few articles indicating the VR sets should only be used by kids age 13 and over, due to concerns about the potential impact of VR on a young child's vision. But I can't find any medical studies that support this view. If you know of any such studies, please send me a link.

I'd like to get a VR set for my 11-year-old, and limit usage to a few times each week, with a 30-minute max per session. Curious for your thoughts on this approach.

[Anonymous]

Why chance it? Your kid can wait.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t. Why give a gift you need to limit to 30 min each week?

My teen is online way too much with his computer and he’s never wanted VR. He tried it when he was younger at a friends and it made him severely nauseous. Has your kid ever tried it?

[Anonymous]

*and I didn’t read well. I see you said 30 min per session, not per week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:*and I didn’t read well. I see you said 30 min per session, not per week.

OP here. Yes, I was thinking 30 minutes x 3 per week = 90 minutes per week

[Anonymous]

My 11 year old has one and limiting it has not been a problem. He goes weeks without asking to use it at all.

[Anonymous]

Made my 12 year old sick too. He doesn't even try to use it anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why chance it? Your kid can wait.

Agree

[Anonymous]

I use VR a lot (gamer) and I would said no. My daughter was allowed to use it at 13, but never for more than 30 minutes a week.

I would also say, is your 11 year old prepared for playing with adults? My daughter was a bit caught off guard by adult males using VR as a way to meet kids. Make sure you have your kid do an online safety course.

[Anonymous]

Google it. One study was a maybe. It's fine

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

They aren’t that fun

[Anonymous]

We have one and overuse hasn’t been an issue at least for my kids. They enjoy it and it still gets used two years later but it’s not that comfortable to play for hours at a time so they tend to use it for 10-20 min then move on to other things or take turns with friends. They’ll also go through phases - use a couple days a week for a while then forget about it for a couple months. It’s not like the Play Station on an iPad, which they’ll use nonstop for hours if given the chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have one and overuse hasn’t been an issue at least for my kids. They enjoy it and it still gets used two years later but it’s not that comfortable to play for hours at a time so they tend to use it for 10-20 min then move on to other things or take turns with friends. They’ll also go through phases - use a couple days a week for a while then forget about it for a couple months. It’s not like the Play Station on an iPad, which they’ll use nonstop for hours if given the chance.

This. It’s fine.

[Anonymous]

We also have one and find that it is hardly used. They love to play games on the computer and on tablets but they just really aren’t that into the VR.