U.S. lawmakers are requesting that Mark Zuckerberg put a stop to the launch of Meta’s Horizon Worlds metaverse application aimed at teenagers.
In Brief
Senators Markey and Blumenthal have reached out to Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, urging that the launch of the Horizon Worlds metaverse application for young users be halted.
The senators voiced significant concerns regarding the dangers teenagers could encounter in the metaverse, such as exposure to harmful advertisements, the gathering of personal data, issues related to physical well-being, and the risk of encountering abusive behavior.

According to sources, two U.S. senators sent a letter to Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, urging him to shelve the plans for introducing the Horizon Worlds metaverse app that targets teens aged 13 to 17. the Wall Street Journal .
In their letter, the senators stressed, \"Given your company’s track record of failing to safeguard children and adolescents, combined with accumulating evidence of the risks posed to younger users in the metaverse, immediate action is necessary to halt this initiative.\"
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the letter comes from senators Ed Markey (D., Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.).
To attract a broader audience, Meta aimed to roll out its metaverse app to teenage users this month. Horizon Worlds provides a space for individuals to craft and navigate virtual environments using avatars. Horizon Worlds Sens. Markey and Blumenthal have raised alarms over Meta’s strategy to engage teenagers with Horizon Worlds, referencing the company’s previous missteps involving youth-oriented products. They highlighted a serious flaw in Messenger Kids that allowed children aged 6 to 12 to bypass age restrictions and interact with strangers. Additionally, they noted that Meta has previously failed to prevent the targeting of teenagers with ads for tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy eating habits.
The senators have brought even more attention to the potential hazards awaiting teenagers in the metaverse. They cited issues like the collection of sensitive data through VR headsets that may track eye and facial movements, as well as physical health concerns, including nausea and fatigue.
A Meta spokesperson clarified that its eye-tracking and face-tracking technology is only available on the company’s VR headset, which retails for $1,500. They assured that this device comes equipped with various safeguards to protect user privacy concerning facial and eye tracking.
The senators also pointed out the risk of encountering detrimental behavior such as bullying, threats, and inappropriate content. They referenced studies from the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Common Sense Media to substantiate their claims. Senator Markey emphasized that, given Meta's current inability to protect young people on its platforms, the company should not expose more teenagers to the unpredictable nature of the metaverse. Quest Pro A recent analysis by Bain & Company illuminates the preferences of young gamers, aged 13-17, and assesses the metaverse's influence on the gaming landscape. The findings indicate that, while adult gamers hold reservations about the metaverse, teenagers seem more excited about immersing themselves in a virtual reality.
A Meta shareholder has voiced criticism towards Zuckerberg for the substantial investments made in the metaverse.
A Meta will allow Horizon users to monetize virtual goods. Meta’s Horizon Worlds has introduced VR collections in partnership with DressX.
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