Immersive horizons: Navigating the impacts of virtual reality on children and families

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging, immersive, multisensory technology with the potential to become a widely used tool for children of all ages. Although the majority of official guidelines typically recommend its use for individuals over 10-13 years old, younger children have started to adopt this technology. Given its highly experiential nature and the limited research available, further investigation is needed to assess both the positive and negative impacts of VR on children of all ages. In this chapter, we examine existing knowledge on its use across various settings and discuss its promising aspects (e.g., expanding educational opportunities, pain relief in clinical environments) as well as potential concerns (e.g., ethical issues related to data collection and the possibility of exploitation). As VR is still a nascent technology, we can draw insights from current research and the effects of screen media on children. The power of VR could significantly influence children's daily lives and families, but it is essential to understand how this novel technology may affect child development differently from adults, considering various ages and developmental stages.