Virtual Reality’s Rec Room: Is it a Wreck for Kids?

By Anam Adil, Contributing Author

With more than 100 million lifetime users, Rec Room has grown into one of the most popular virtual playgrounds in the metaverse. It’s been lauded for its creativity and social connectivity, but is it a safe space for children? Despite the platform’s kidSAFE+ COPPA certification, concerns from parents and online communities raise red flags about child safety, grooming risks, and the limits of Rec Room’s parental controls.

While Rec Room provides "Junior Accounts" to restrict social interaction for users under 13, many question how effectively these safeguards are enforced. Reports from parents on forums like Reddit and Common Sense Media describe unsettling encounters—ranging from inappropriate conversations to covert manipulation of younger players. As virtual reality blurs the line between digital and real-life experiences, who bears responsibility for ensuring child safety in these immersive spaces, Rec Room’s developers or the parents themselves?

What is Rec Room?

Rec Room is a free online multiplayer game launched in 2016. Players can engage in millions of user-generated rooms, design their own experiences, and socialize in real-time. Available on PC, Mac, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, and VR headsets like the Oculus Quest, its first-person gameplay style fits seamlessly into the metaverse’s vision of virtual worlds resembling real life.

On the surface, Rec Room seems like harmless fun. Users can play games, customize avatars, and interact with others. However, the very features that make it appealing also present risks, especially for younger players who may encounter strangers in unmoderated spaces.

Safety Measures - How Does Rec Room Protect Kids?

Rec Room acknowledges these risks and implements certain safeguards, particularly for users under 13.

1. Junior Accounts:

   • Voice and text chat are disabled.

   • Restricted access to public rooms with mature themes.

   • Limited ability to create inventions or interact in social spaces.

2. Parental Controls:

   • Parents can manage spending and customize child accounts using Rec Net.

   • Reporting tools allow users to flag inappropriate content for review.

3. COPPA Compliance:

   • As a member of the kidSAFE+ COPPA-CERTIFIED program, Rec Room claims adherence to privacy and child safety laws.

These measures sound reassuring, but do they work in practice?

The Risks - What Are Parents Concerned About?

Despite the built-in safety features, numerous reports indicate that children remain vulnerable on Rec Room. Concerns include:

1. Grooming & Stranger Danger:

   • Parents report adult players befriending and isolating younger users in private rooms.

   • In some cases, these adults present themselves as "kind and sweet" to build trust, potentially exposing children to manipulation.

2. Inappropriate Content:

   • Although Rec Room filters and restricts Junior Accounts, explicit content sometimes slips through.

   • Private rooms are harder to monitor, allowing inappropriate interactions to go undetected.

3. Bullying & Harassment:

   • Veteran players sometimes target newcomers, including younger children, for harassment.

   • Social friction can escalate in unmoderated environments, leading to bullying.

4. Workarounds:

   • Like other platforms, Rec Room relies on self-reported age for account creation. Children may falsify their age to bypass Junior Account restrictions.

One parent on Common Sense Media described witnessing adults coercing children in private rooms while hiding behind the platform’s social features. These risks highlight a gap between Rec Room’s intended protections and the real-world experiences of many families.

A vocal group of critics has even launched petitions demanding Rec Room’s shutdown, citing the company’s "inaction" in protecting young users. While the petition has gained over 100 signatures, others counter that ultimate responsibility lies with parents allowing unsupervised access to VR environments.

Who’s Responsible—Parents or Platform?

The debate over responsibility boils down to two perspectives:

1. Platform Responsibility: Critics argue that Rec Room should be more proactive in monitoring and safeguarding users. The current system relies heavily on reporting by users rather than active intervention. Some suggest Rec Room should implement:

   • More rigorous age verification.

   • Real-time moderation of public and private rooms.

   • Stricter penalties for violators.

2. Parental Responsibility: Others argue that parents must supervise their children’s online activities. This viewpoint emphasizes:

   • Activating and regularly checking parental controls.

   • Educating children on online safety.

   • Monitoring playtime and social interactions.

Ultimately, ensuring safety in digital spaces requires a collaborative effort between platforms and parents. Without proactive measures, the metaverse could become less of a playground and more of a danger zone for vulnerable users.

References:

1. Cross, R. J., & Coby, E. (2023, December 22). VR risks for kids and teens. U.S. PIRG Education Fund. https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/vr-risks-for-kids/

2. Parent reviews for Rec Room. (2020). Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/rec-room/user-reviews/adult

3. Rec Room. (2025, February 27). Internet Matters. https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/apps-and-platforms/online-gaming/rec-room/