Parent account is the default on child's device?

[edjski]

Seriously, what is the point of setting up a parent managed account if the child can easily (by not SWITCHING accounts when starting up) use the parent's account.

That failure combined with the complete botched parent-management system seems like reason for a class-action.

What do we as parents want? We want to protect our children.

Perhaps the problem is that what Meta wants is to satisfy parent's goals in order to hook children in to the addiction of social media.

Another point that Meta doesn't really care is that its nigh impossible to reach anything resembling customer service. This forum is further evidence that what they want is to appear interested, appear to care by offering this "community" forum. But it's the blind leading the blind.

Worst part is that my child has spent a good deal of his birthday frustrated with his new Quest 3.

Meta can burn in hell.

Cheers!

[MetaQuestSupport]

Hi @edjski, here at Meta we really do care that children are having a fun, safe time on VR, and that their parents have control over that experience. This is why we have a couple ways to help you secure your account further so that your child does not have access to it. These are the Meta Quest PIN and Passcode, and we recommend that all our customers who share their device use one of these methods to protect their account.

  - The Meta Quest PIN is a 4 digit number that allows you to simplify identity verification before the validation of Meta Quest Store purchases.
    The PIN is associated with your account, so all of your devices share the same PIN. Here is a link to opt in.

  - Passcode allows you to lock your device and selected apps. For instructions on how to manage your passcode, click here.

It also sounds like your child is having trouble with his Quest 3. We're happy to help him get set up and enjoy his headset to the fullest, so please don't hesitate to get in contact with us about this! You can reach us here on the forums, or drop us a DM for more personalized service. 

[MetaQuestSupport]

Hi @edjski, just checking-in. We hope that our PIN or Passcode options work for you! And as always, we're here for any other questions you may have.

[edjski]

Thanks for the response. 

Reaching customer service via chat or phone would be preferable as the forum isn't immediate. 

I appreciate the pin; however the issue isn't  necessarily purchases but rather access to apps, browser, etc that my wife and I are concerned about. 

Purchases can be controlled by not providing a means of payment -UNLESS Meta requires a means of payment "on file" -I'm not sure whether or not that's the case but it would be counter productive if the goal is to restrict unauthorized purchases. 

Second, my understanding is that the passcode is for the device, not for individual users. Which, if my understanding is correct, would protect against unauthorized users but would do nothing to protect an authorized user (my son for example) from accessing and using the parent/owner account. 

I surely hope that I'm wrong here and that you can help me understand. However, this is about child safety and security, it should be dead simple and super clear. That there's enough confusion that we're emailing about it seems like a fail.

I hope I'm just missing something! 

Thanks,

Edjski

[edjski]

Not really. I followed the provided link to "Manage your passcode..." but unfortunately it only says what you CAN do but nothing about HOW to do it, nor is there any information on actually MANAGING one's passcode. 

Meta is an "I.T." company, yes? The "I" stands for information. Why then is it this difficult to get information? 

BEFORE I set up a passcode, I want to know not just what it can do but how it works. Often with such 'features' there are unforseen consequences. And I would hate to waste more time setting up a passcode only to find that it doesn't actually prevent my child from using my account and having access to the browser, messaging etc. 

If all the passcode does is lock the device, then I can physically secure the device thus protecting my child and negating the need for a passcode. However, the point of the purchase was primarily for my child's use. 

thanks.

[MetaQuestSupport]

Hey @edjski , we appreciate your message and efforts to choose the right Quest settings for your family. 
 

Using a Meta Quest PIN or Passcode should not have any affect on your device apart from offering an added layer of security.

The steps to set up your passcode via headset can be found at this link, which should also help to explain how to reset your passcode, and use it to lock your headset. To streamline the passcode setup process via headset, here are the steps:

1. Press  / on your right Touch controller to pull up your universal menu.
2. Hover over the clock on the left-hand side of the universal menu. When Quick settings appears, select it to open the Quick settings panel.
3. Select Settings in the top right.
4. Select Security.
5.Next to Passcode, select Create.
6. Enter a 4-16-digit passcode, then select Continue.
7. Re-enter the same passcode, then select Continue to confirm.

At this time, we do not have a way to secure individual accounts on our devices. If you'd like to see this become a future Quest feature, we'd love you to write in to our Ideas forum, where our users can share their requests and suggestions for improvements to our hardware or software.
 

We hope this helps to answer your questions. As always, please feel free to get in contact with us here or over PM with any of your Meta needs!

[edjski]

Thanks for the response. 

However, I do not need to lock the device. What I need is to make sure my child is protected. If my child can simply and easily use my account at any time, the protections provided by a parent managed account are completely meaningless. Am I missing something? 

Here's my situation: my son has been using my Quest 2 which was set up only with my account. Using my account he has established a few Rec Room friends. 

For his birthday he got a Quest 3 which I set up a parent-managed account for him. But my account is the default on the Quest 3 as "owner". He's frustrated that using his own account, he doesn't have his established friends. Obviously there are ways to correct this but in the short term he's aware that he can -without restriction, use my account and have access to his friends. 

In terms of security and child safety, I don't see how this isn't a COMPLETE FAIL. 

Please correct/enlighten me if I'm simply unaware or missing something.

[MetaQuestSupport]

Hey @edjski, thanks for sharing your thoughts about our Parent-Managed Accounts. 

We understand that it's frustrating to be missing certain controls over your child's VR usage, and it can be tough on kids to not have access to the functions that they had previously.  We invite you to share your insights on our Ideas forum. A similar case has been brought to our attention in a post that you can see here, and we welcome you to bring further attention to it by engaging with it. Meta hardware and software is always adapting to our customers' needs, so keep a look out for new features that will suit you best!

We're happy to help you out with your Meta questions, so please always feel free to get in touch.

[edjski]

I appreciate that and I will definitely check out the ideas forum.

thanks

ed

[MetaQuestSupport]

Hi @edjski , glad we could help. 

We look forward to seeing your suggestions and ideas, and are here if you ever want to get in touch.

Thanks for being part of the Meta fam!