eSAFETY GUIDE

Meta account

13+
Minimum age according to Meta
13+ Minimum age according to Meta

What is a Meta account?

A Meta account is an online service that lets you log into your virtual reality (VR)[https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources/gift-guide/virtual-reality-vr] devices and view and manage your purchased content in one place. You can set up an account with your email address or your Facebook or Instagram account. You can also connect your Meta account to your Facebook or Instagram account to allow connected experiences across Meta technologies, such as chatting to friends on Messenger or playing games with Facebook friends in VR.

A Meta account also gives you access to Meta Quest[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/meta-quest] and Meta Horizon, which includes destinations such as Meta Horizon Worlds, Meta Horizon Workrooms and your Meta Horizon Home (currently only available in certain countries). When you set up a Meta account, you’ll also be prompted to create a Meta Horizon profile – a social profile in VR. You can customise your username, avatar and other information to determine how you appear to others. This information is public and is shared with apps that use this profile, allowing people to search for your name or username and send you follow requests.

Website: meta.com/en-gb/help/accountsExternal link[https://www.meta.com/en-gb/help/accounts/]

How do people use Meta accounts?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use online services like Meta accounts.

Meta is used for: content sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/content-sharing], gaming[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/gaming], immersive technologies, in-app purchasing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/in-app-purchasing], live streaming[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/live-streaming], location sharing[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/location-sharing], messaging/online chat[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/messaging-online-chat], online relationships[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/online-relationships], screen capture[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/online-tools-and-features/screen-capture], video calling[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/video-calling] and voice chat[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide/voice-chat]. 

How can you report online abuse, ask for content to be removed or block someone

These links are provided by Meta:

How can you protect your personal information?

These links are provided by Meta:

These links are provided by Meta:

Last updated: 04/02/2025

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parentsExternal link, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and appsExternal link and mental wellbeing resources for familiesExternal link.