By: Sumedha
Abstract
Introduction
Virtual reality is also called VR where it places the viewer inside the place or the moment it is made by visual and technology that makes the brain into believing it somewhere else.
Why Do They Use It?
They use it to reduce their stress and improve their mood. Today’s teens are navigating a unique and challenging set of stressors, including the pressures of social media, concerns over the climate crisis, political polarization, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted their education and social lives through shifts to online learning. These factors have significantly contributed to a decline in adolescent mental health over the past decade. The rising rates of anxiety and depression, already on the rise before the pandemic, have been further intensified by the uncertainty and isolation that many teens have experienced during these transformative years.
Positive Impacts
1. Stem becomes Steam - it is often assumed that it is an art and humanities but it is far from the tech world. From the film industry to using technologies for elements of designing, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving comes from the stem and is essential for the future.
2. Build knowledge for a rapidly growing industry - As digital natives, teens possess valuable background knowledge and foundational skills. By expanding on this base, they are well-positioned to thrive in an industry that is evolving at an unprecedented pace.
3. Harnessing tech for social impact - they are now being used beyond entertainment, with growing roles in healthcare, advocacy, and journalism. These technologies allow teens to contribute by
alleviating patient anxiety, fostering empathy for marginalized communities, and raising awareness globally which have a positive impact on teens.
4. Opening Doors to Entrepreneurship and E-commerce - The widespread availability of smartphones with augmented reality capabilities opens exciting opportunities for entrepreneurship and e-commerce. They are transforming online shopping by enabling users to virtually experience products before buying, creating new sales channels and business ventures.
Negative Impacts
1. Violence and aggression - there is no evidence that VR makes teens violent but it does seem to affect them in some or the other way.
2. Physical effects - VR can cause eye strain, nausea, posture, and movement issues.
3. Fantasy and reality - teens seem not to differentiate between the real world and the virtual world and the real world. This makes their mind create false memories in them.
4. Social influence - because of VR teens start having an “imaginary friend” or strong bonds with fictional characters.
5. Social isolation - though VR allows us to interact virtually in reality it can lead to physical social isolation and replace in-person interactions.
References
GeeksforGeeks. (n.d.). Virtual reality introduction. GeeksforGeeks. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from
PsyPost. (2024). Virtual reality: A new hope for teen mental health. PsyPost. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from
iD Tech. (2024). Benefits of virtual and augmented reality for teens. iD Tech. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from
Faiz, N. (2023). How VR and AR benefit young people, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha. YR Media. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from https://yr.media/tech/vr-ar-reality-benefits-young-people-gen-z-alpha-sxsw virtual-augmented-noumaan-faiz/
Virtual Reality Virtual People. (2018). VR and children. Medium. Retrieved October 22, 2024, from
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