We are all too aware of some health concerns associated with virtual reality technology. In fact, a recent study shows how there are a lot more concerns than one expect. There is a good reason why one should always use a VR headset with supervision or at least with one other person in the vicinity. This is especially true for children, as they may be even more prone to VR-related health hazards than anyone else.
VR Without Supervision is not Advised
To put this into perspective we are not talking about the regular health hazards one would experience during a VR session. Motion sickness, eye strain, and even balancing issues are all ‘normal”. This particular study paints a far more worrisome picture, especially for those among us who prefer to play on their own. Without supervision, things can get out of hand pretty quickly, especially where children are involved.
More specifically, one of the major concerns is how often players fall while wearing a VR headset. Tripping over cables, losing your balance, or simply experiencing the content as “too real” are all a lot more common than one assumes. Falling is one thing, but when users hit their head or fall the wrong way, physical trauma becomes a very real problem. It is not something any VR equipment can resolve or prevent right now, nor will that even be the case in the future.
Moreover, the eye-related concerns are only growing worse as more people are exposed to VR headsets. The number of potential issues is pretty significant, and things are not improving whatsoever. In fact, nearsightedness is one of the biggest problems young children may face while using a VR headset. Studies indicate over 40% of the US population already suffers from nearsightedness. That number will only increase over time, unfortunately.
Last but not least, one has to keep pre-existing medical conditions in mind before using a VR headset. Damage to your hearing, heart, or even lungs is a very real concern that needs to be addressed. it is evident consulting a doctor before letting anyone in your household use a VR headset is not something the manufacturers put in the manual without reason. Rest assured we will see more of these studies in the future, yet we can only hope things improve from here on out.
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