Everything You Need to Know About Virtual Reality for Kids – Updated

All of us associate Virtual Reality (VR) with scenarios from Sci-fi movies. Nevertheless, the reality is that VR technology in today’s day and age is integrated into our everyday life. We’re on the brink of a virtual reality pivotal moment (VR). 

The Oculus Quest, for example, is a very cool piece of technology that delivers upon certain genuine sci-fi ambitions. It’s no longer a question of whether or not your child will use virtual reality one day; we’re moving nearer to a point where it will simply be a part of our daily routine.

Virtual Reality is integrated into online gaming, healthcare, and education. However, what precisely is it?

What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-technology-driven atmosphere with realistic-looking objects and images that offer users the feeling of being completely engrossed in their environment. 

Such an environment is accessed using a virtual reality headset or helmet by a user. We may use virtual reality to submerge ourselves in video games as if we were among the players, learn how to execute surgical treatment, and enhance the standard of sports training to deliver the best results.

Even though it looks futuristic, its origins are not as contemporary as we may assume. Sensorama, a machine with inbuilt seating that streamed 3-dimensional movies, released smells, and produced sensations to make the whole thing believable, is thought to be among the earliest virtual reality devices. The idea was originally proposed in the 1950s. 

Technical and programming advancements have resulted in a continuous shift including both devices and user interface throughout time.

The Future and Stats of Virtual Reality (VR) 

Virtual reality is among the industries with the most promising future growth prospects. According to a New IDC Spending Guide, spending on augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) is expected to rise from just over $12.0 billion this year to $72.8 billion in 2024 as the pandemic fades. 

The five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for AR/VR spending will be 54.0 percent, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Augmented and Virtual Reality Spending Guide.

The report states that – “The commercial use cases that are forecast to receive the largest investments in 2024 are training ($4.1 billion), industrial maintenance ($4.1 billion), and retail showcasing ($2.7 billion). In comparison, the three consumer use cases for AR/VR (VR gaming, VR video/feature viewing, and AR gaming) are expected to see combined spending of $17.6 billion in 2024.” 

“The epidemic has sparked a big increase in business interest in both virtual and augmented reality,” said Tom Mainelli, group vice president, Devices and Consumer Research at IDC.

Top tech companies have been developing headsets that don’t need a network and can exhibit higher graphics. They’re experimenting on virtual reality headsets with an 8K resolution and far more powerful hardware. Artificial Intelligence is also anticipated to be incorporated sometime in the future, by some reports.

As a result, virtual reality now isn’t frequently regarded as sci-fi/fantasy. It is a part of our present, and it will lead to developments that will influence the future in the following years.

What is the difference between Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)?

Augmented Reality could be conceived of as virtual reality with one step in the actual world: virtual reality generates an artificial world to experience, while augmented reality represents artificial tools in the actual world.

Mixed reality, on the other hand, is a hybrid of the two worlds. This technology, for example, enables consumers to see artificial objects in real life and create an impression in which the physical and virtual worlds are largely identical.

Is VR safe for Kids?

The virtual reality sector is still in its early stages, and specialists have yet to witness the long-term implications of utilizing headsets. 

With the popularity of the Oculus Quest 2 and the addition of so many AAA games to VR, children all over the world are clamoring sometimes for a virtual reality headset. Since 2016, when they first emerged in malls complexes, kids have been enjoying VR games at virtual reality arcades. Arcades, on the other hand, have shorter playtimes.

Although there are a few considerations that parents should take into account when deciding why not to allow their children to use virtual reality, there were also some good published studies. Since young individuals engage in virtual technology, many instructors have noticed a big difference in learning when a child uses VR in the classroom.

Parents’ biggest concern is how virtual reality may obstruct or damage the growth of children’s eyesight. 

On their website, the American Academy of Ophthalmology publishes information.:

“Although there are no long-term studies, ophthalmologists agree there is no reason to be concerned that VR headsets will damage eye development, health, or function. Age limitations for VR technology might make sense for content, but as far as we know this technology poses no threat to the eyes.”

Moreover, to, restrict responsibility, manufacturers have to include safety warnings. 

There have been various educational VR applications or games that aid learning by letting the person witness an activity while listening to an explanation. Because consumers are engaged in VR in general, the knowledge is “stuck” in their minds in an easier manner.

VR has also been shown to enhance empathy in individuals, while the impacts on kids are still to be seen.

How can Virtual Reality make education better?

Virtual reality can enhance education by allowing students to participate in engaging experiences. The technology is easily available to all students and can be easily utilized & controlled by instructors. Students can be motivated and encouraged to take interest in subjects they prefer through virtual experiences.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise if VR made it onto the curriculum at a certain stage in the future, given the prevalence of VR in education and the positive response from institutions.

Application of VR technology in Various Fields

Here’s a rundown of a few sectors that have already implemented virtual reality and how it might affect their future.

1. Entertainment

In the entertainment sector, VR is already being utilized to improve the 360-degree film experience and deepen your emotional relationship with the characters.

VR can transform the way media information is produced. Flipside has become the quickest way to create programs that could be watched on conventional platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live.

2. Education

VR has the potential to transform education by allowing students to learn more innovatively and engagingly. With its ‘Engage’ offering, ImmersiveVREducation is creating a virtual reality meeting space area where individuals may study from instructors across the world.

3. Art and Design

VR allows you to be a part of your artwork. You can freely enter your picture and emerge from the other end. Tiltbrush is one of the most prominent apps for making art in virtual reality, and it is astonishing what many have accomplished with it. 

4. Automotive Industry

Before ordering pricey models, designers and engineers can quickly experiment with the appearance and construction of a vehicle using virtual reality. 

BMW and Jaguar Land Rover are now using virtual reality to conduct initial design and technical evaluations to evaluate the vehicle’s visual representation and object geometric distortion.

5. Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the most essential applications in which virtual reality can make a major difference. Virtual simulations are now employed by healthcare experts to prepare for operating on bodies, and VR has also been utilized to heal burns.

VR is also being used as an effective tool for mental health concerns such as anxiety and PTSD. 

VR used by Tech Giants

Let’s have a look at the companies that are leading the way in incorporating virtual reality. 

1. Google

Undoubtedly, Google is probably the major player in the virtual reality space. Basic searches like “how to tie shoelaces” and “pancake recipes” are a thing of the past. Google is now experimenting with virtual reality. They launched the ‘Google Cardboard,’ a $15 cardboard virtual reality headset.

2. Oculus VR

You ought to be familiar with the name Oculus already. In 2016, Facebook paid a staggering $2 billion for the startup. John Carmack, the architect of id Software’s ‘Doom,’ was also part of the team. Oculus released ‘Oculus Quest’, a standalone headset in 2019. 

3. Unity

Unity is a well-known company in the realm of motion graphics, so it should be no wonder that they’ve produced VR-ready software. Most existing VR material has flowed across the Unity 3D engine, rendering Unity an important aspect of VR and a leading VR enterprise.

4. Samsung

Samsung is no newcomer to innovation, including virtual reality. Samsung made a wise move by collaborating with Oculus to create the Samsung Gear, a virtual reality headgear. 

Best VR Apps and Games for Kids 

Parents! Check the age requirements for every game before permitting your children to use virtual reality applications. This is quite important. The age restriction varies by a technological device. Some have a minimum age requirement of 12 years old. Others highly urge kids not to use virtual reality gadgets whatsoever.

If kids engage in virtual games, they must be monitored by their guardians at the very least.

Here we have enlisted some of the best VR apps and games for kids – 

1. Assetto Corsa

VR sports games for older kids are a prominent simulator in the older-children genre. It’s noted for its exciting graphics and instinctive mechanics. This application is for you if you enjoy stunning cars, tremendous speeds, and exhilarating, authentic racing.

2. Discovery VR

Exclusive backstage footage from your favorite shows, heart-wrenching experiences, and gorgeous tributes of our magnificent planet can all be found here.

3. Jurassic VR

Experience a rich interactive virtual world full of subtle 3D details and discover more about the origins of dinosaurs. At your speed, navigate through the jungle.

4. BBC Earth: Life in VR

The BBC does not require any introduction. After winning the Google Play Award for “The best VR Experience in 2018”, BBC has perfected VR Technology for children. The app’s craftsmanship is astounding. It makes it possible for users to experience the undersea environment off the coast of California.

In a Nutshell

VR technology is the creation of a simulated environment that is conveyed to our sensations somehow in a way that we experience as if we are fully present in it. It accomplishes this objective through a wide range of technologies. 

It can be used for both fun and important purposes. Technology is getting less expensive and more easily obtainable. Because of the opportunities of VR, we may anticipate seeing more and more creative uses of the technology, and perhaps a fundamental shift in how we communicate and function.

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