Families Seek More Research on Virtual Reality’s Impact on Children
As virtual reality (VR) technology becomes increasingly accessible, parents are expressing a growing need for research-based information on its potential effects on children’s brain and behavioral development. A recent study from North Carolina State University highlights that families prioritize understanding these impacts, alongside safety features and opportunities for physical activity within VR experiences.
Growing Concerns and Prioritized Features
The study, published in March 2026, involved analyzing interview data from 67 children and 55 adult guardians, followed by a focus group of 84 children and 40 guardians. Researchers found that families don’t just seek to know if VR is appropriate for children and teenagers, but how to address potential concerns.
One key finding was the strong desire for more information regarding the influence of VR on brain and behavioral development. Participants viewed these factors as foundational, impacting learning, relationships, and overall well-being. “Rather than treating brain and behavior separately, participants often discussed them as deeply interconnected,” explains Qiao Jin, assistant professor of computer science at North Carolina State University and first author of the study. [Source: NC State News]
Interestingly, families placed a higher value on VR features that promote physical activity than on purely educational content. Guardians were most concerned with ensuring children remained healthy and active, with the ability to interact with family and friends online also being appealing, but secondary to physical health. [Source: NC State News]
Safety and Responsibility
Safety controls to detect and prevent bullying or harassment within VR platforms were also identified as crucial. Families expressed a desire for these safeguards, recognizing children’s need for autonomy while still wanting to protect them from harm.
The question of responsibility for addressing VR-related concerns was complex. While families acknowledged that tech companies have a role to play, they expressed skepticism about prioritizing child welfare over profits. Instead, participants envisioned a collaborative model involving industry, university research, and public institutions – including doctors and teachers – working together to establish evidence-based guidelines for VR use. [Source: NC State News]
Privacy Concerns in the Metaverse
Concerns extend to data privacy within VR environments. Research from Duke University and North Carolina State University, conducted in May 2024, suggests that parents may underestimate the privacy risks their children face in virtual reality. [Source: Duke Today] VR devices collect more user data than traditional websites and apps, raising concerns about the handling of personal information by advertisers and tech companies. [Source: Duke Today]
The Role of Family Engagement and PCIT-VR
Active family participation in VR experiences is also seen as beneficial. Meta’s family guide to virtual reality emphasizes that VR is best enjoyed when the whole family is involved. [Source: Meta Family Center]
virtual reality is being explored as a tool to enhance parenting skills. A study published in July 2025 investigated the use of Virtual Reality Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT-VR) to accelerate the acquisition of positive parenting skills. [Source: PubMed] The findings suggest that practicing parenting techniques in a VR environment could increase confidence and potentially lead to faster treatment effects. [Source: PubMed]
Looking Ahead
The consensus is clear: more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of VR on children’s developing brains and behaviors. This knowledge will be crucial for informing parents, establishing responsible guidelines, and ensuring that VR technology is used in a way that promotes the well-being of young people. “One clear take-away from this work is that more needs to be done to deepen our understanding…so that we can share this information with parents and families,” says Jin. [Source: NC State News]