How to Set Up a Meta Quest for a Child (2026 Parent Guide)
Got a Meta Quest for your child this Christmas? A few minutes of setting up before you hand it over makes a big difference. This guide explains which account your child needs, how to set it up, and the parental controls worth switching on, in plain English.
- Children under 10 should not use a Meta Quest at all.
- Children aged 10 to 12 need a parent managed account, which you create from your own Meta account.
- Teens aged 13 to 17 run their own account, with parental supervision switched on by default.
- Do the setup and updates on Christmas Eve, not Christmas morning.
Which account does your child need?
| Age | Account | Who is in charge |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | None | Meta does not allow children under 10 to use Quest headsets. |
| 10 to 12 | Parent managed account | You. You approve apps, purchases and contacts, and can set time limits. |
| 13 to 17 | Teen account | Your teen, with supervision on by default. Teens can switch supervision off. |
Parent managed accounts work on the Meta Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest 3S. If your child is about to turn 13, Meta sends you both a reminder about a month before their birthday.
Before the big day
- Charge it. A Quest battery lasts roughly two hours, so start Christmas morning with a full charge.
- Install the Meta Horizon app on your own phone (iPhone or Android). This is where all the parental controls live.
- Run the updates. A new headset usually downloads a system update when it is first switched on, which can take a while.
- Have a bank card ready. Meta checks you are an adult by making a small charge to your card, which is refunded.
- Pick a few apps. Have some free, age appropriate apps ready to go. Our guide to the best educational VR games for kids is a good place to start.
Setting up a parent managed account (ages 10 to 12)
- Sign in with your own Meta account. Open the Meta Horizon app on your phone and log in, or create a Meta account if you do not have one.
- Add your child. Use the supervision or Family Center option in the app to add a preteen account. You can also do this on the Family Center website.
- Verify you are an adult. Enter your card details when asked. The small charge is refunded.
- Enter your child’s real date of birth. This decides which apps and features they can use, so it needs to be accurate.
- Create their profile. Your child picks a username and display name. These do not need to be their real name, and for younger children it is better if they are not.
- Choose the privacy settings. A preteen’s profile is private and stays private. You also decide on settings such as hand tracking and data sharing.
- Put the headset on and log in. If you set up together, your child can start on the headset, then hand it to you to approve when asked.
The parental controls worth switching on
All of these are in the Meta Horizon app on your phone, once your child’s account is linked to yours.
Approve apps and purchases
You can approve or block each app your child wants to download or open, and every purchase needs your OK. By default, children can only get apps rated for their age.
Daily time limits and scheduled breaks
Set a daily limit, which can be different on school days and weekends, and schedule times when the headset cannot be used, such as bedtime.
Approved contacts
Preteens can only chat, call or play with people you have approved. Contacts must already follow, or be followed by, your child, and if both children are preteens, both sets of parents have to agree.
Cast to your phone or TV
You can see what your child sees by casting the headset to your phone or a nearby TV. It is also the easiest way for the rest of the family to join in.
Teens aged 13 to 17
Teens manage their own account and password. Parental supervision is switched on by default, but a teen can turn it off. Talk about it together: many families agree to keep supervision on, with time limits that feel fair, rather than relying on settings alone. Parents can still see who their teen is connected to.
Staying safe and comfortable
- Set the boundary carefully. The headset draws a play area and warns your child when they get near its edge. Clear furniture, pets and anything breakable first.
- Keep sessions short at first, with regular breaks, and stop if your child feels sick, dizzy or gets a headache.
- Check each app’s age rating on the store page before approving it.
- Talk about strangers. Remind your child never to share their real name, school or location with people they meet online.
For the evidence on eyes, motion sickness and screen time, read Is VR bad for children?
Frequently asked questions
What age is a Meta Quest for?
Meta says Quest headsets are for ages 10 and up. Children aged 10 to 12 need a parent managed account, and children under 10 should not use one.
Can my child use my account on the headset?
It is better to give them their own account. A parent managed account lets you set time limits, approve apps and control who they talk to, which you cannot do on your own adult account.
Do I need to pay to set up a child account?
No. Meta makes a small charge to your bank card to confirm you are an adult, and refunds it.
Can I set a time limit on a Meta Quest?
Yes. In the Meta Horizon app you can set a daily time limit for your child, with different limits on different days, and schedule times when the headset cannot be used.
Can I see what my child is doing in VR?
Yes. You can cast the headset to your phone or a TV to watch, and the Meta Horizon app shows which apps your child has and how long they spend on the headset.
Updated November 2026. Meta changes its menus from time to time, so if an option has moved, look for Family Center or Supervision in the Meta Horizon app.