Standards Australia Publish Landmark Standard to Empower and Protect Children in the Metaverse

The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has welcomed news from Standards Australia about the latest tool which aims to empower children and help protect them online in the Metaverse.

Created in close consultation with government and industry, AS 5402:2025 Children's Safety in the Metaverse was published today following an extensive public review process.

The Metaverse, an innovative complex virtual environment that’s emerging as the next online frontier, is fraught with risks to children including online bullying, grooming, and identity theft. The new standard provides a framework for advancing children’s safety in the Metaverse with a focus on privacy and accessibility.

Kareen Riley-Takos, Chief of Engagement, Standards & International Relations and Operations at Standards Australia, said: “Technology evolves rapidly but it is essential parents, carers, educators and children have a shared point of reference from which the right guidance can be sourced to help ensure children's digital safety in the Metaverse. Standards which empower children and help protect them by enabling their teachers, parents and carers offer a useful starting block."

Julie Inman Grant, said, “I welcome initiatives like this which bring sectors together to take a holistic, unified approach to children’s online safety. The development of this Standard represents the unique opportunity to proactively implement safeguards that prevent abuse and misuse, while empowering children and young people to reap the benefits of the Metaverse.”

Recent research by Standards Australia involving 1,000 parents and 300 teachers shows alarming gaps in public awareness. While two-thirds of Metaverse users are under the age of 16, a significant 83% of parents and 70% of teachers either don’t know or are unsure what the Metaverse actually is, 30% of parents admit they have no idea who their kids interact with in virtual worlds, and only 44% of parents are aware of the risks associated with Metaverse use for children.

Despite promising benefits in education and entertainment, with 75% of Australian teachers saying their pupils use the Metaverse for educational purposes, it still presents significant risks, with parents calling for change.

The research echoes the desire for action with 94% of Australian parents wanting standards and guidelines in place to make the Metaverse safer for children.

To drive change, the new standard provides guidance to business and industry to make empowerment and safety the top priority. It sets out layers of protection and reporting that these parties should consider seriously and highlights the need for collaboration between Metaverse platform developers, policymakers, and families to create safer online environments for children.

Kareen Riley-Takos, emphasised, “Empowering children to navigate the Metaverse safely is a key focus of the new standard.  It provides guidance for carers, families, teachers and supporters on how children can engage online in safe and age-appropriate ways. The Metaverse is not just a playground that offers educational and entertainment potential; it is also sadly fraught with real-world risks. From bullying to identity theft, it is important that children’s safety is embedded into these digital platforms from the ground up and that children are empowered and informed about risks and expectations too.”

“What's crucial now is ensuring our future virtual spaces aim to protect and support the most vulnerable, our kids, through thoughtful design, guardrails, education, and consistent safety standards."

🔗 Free, non-commercial access to AS 5402:2025 Children's Safety in the Metaverse for personal, domestic, or household use is available via our Reader Room.

More details on key takeaways from this standard will be shared soon.