Potential power of VR and kids

As virtual reality expands into family homes, Stanford researchers help parents better understand the potential impacts this emerging technology has on children in a new report. As virtual reality rapidly expands into American households, it is critical that parents and educators be informed about its potential effect on kids, say Stanford scholars in a new report. A new report co-authored by Stanford communication Professor Jeremy Bailenson offers a picture on the adoption and use of virtual reality by children and the potential impacts of this emerging technology. (Image credit: Getty Images) Published April 4 in collaboration with Common Sense Media, Virtual Reality 101: What You Need to Know About Kids and VR, is a resource to better understand how this new technology can be applied to everyday life and learning. Also known as "VR," virtual reality is drastically changing the way people can experience the world. "Compared to other media, VR is an extremely powerful way to deliver information," said Jeremy Bailenson , a communication professor at Stanford and co-author of the report who founded Stanford's Virtual Human Interaction Lab in 2003. "VR is arguably the most powerful medium in history and research about its effect on children is only just emerging." Jim Steyer, AB '78, JD '83, founder of Common Sense Media , agreed with Baillenson, writing in the report, "Because VR is in its infancy, we have a unique opportunity to stay on top of this technological wave before it overwhelms us." Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization that helps parents make smart choices about media and technology for their children.