Modern humans spend most of their life in fully AI controlled virtual realities.
Due to a sudden drop in birth rates after the development of full immersion nano chambers caused by People who did not wish to part from their second, virtual life, the law regarding child protection in virtual realities was passed. Developments by Access Companies have allowed ever younger children to follow their parents into virtual realities while aiding their mental and physical health and development.
Studies show that average children at the age of 5 who spent most of their lives in full immersion nano chambers showed more curiosity, higher IQs and more physical control and strength than those who grew up without virtual reality access in space stations. Reasons are thought to be connected to the lack of space for exercise and the general lack of variety and entertainment in space.
Children growing up in good environments on planets have results comparable to those of children who spend most time in nano chambers. Health problems of children growing up in planetary environments with lacking conditions can circumvent most undesirable outside influences through lengthy exposure to nano chambers and have a longer life expectancy.
Medical specialists recommend at least 5 hours a day in a nano chamber for children between 3 months and 13 years that grow up in space stations or on planets with a score below 7 earth scale points.
Rights in virtual environments have been adjusted to the needs of a society spending many years in transit or in developing environments.
Age restrictions for the protection of children in virtual environments are universally set as follows:
Age up to 3 Months: No exposure to virtual environments
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Age 3 Months - 6 years: Virtual environment access in the company of a registered guardian. No access to environments of danger level 2 and above. Level systems deactivated.
Age 7 - 13 years: Virtual reality access in the vicinity (500 m) of a guardian or a registered trusted person. No access to environments of danger level 6 and above, access to enclosed cities and other communities with low danger levels in the vicinity in environments of danger levels below 5. Level systems deactivated.
Age 14 - 17 years: free access to environments of danger levels 5 and below. Level systems activated.
Age 18 - 21: free access to environments of danger levels 8 and below. Level systems activated.
Age 22 and above: free access to environments of danger levels 8 and below. Access to higher danger levels depending on regular psych evaluations. Level systems activated.
Danger level standards have changed during the development of virtual environments.
Danger level 1 are environments with enforced violence bans. This includes loud noises and designs that might cause fear or nervous reactions.
Danger levels 2, 3 and 4 are safe environments with increasing realism. Dangers in such environments are largely limited to accidents and the results of reckless behavior. Dangers can be avoided with suitable behavior. Children learn the dangers of fire, falls and other natural threats like wild animals in such environments.
Danger level 5 environments are fully independent AI environments with unrestricted personality development of Intelligences. These environments are defined as environments not currently at war or suffering from crisis. This status is subject to changes depending on the development of a virtual reality. Countries, Continents and Regions in a single virtual reality can differ in Danger levels.
Danger level 6 - 8 environments are similar to level 5 environments but suffering from increasing levels of environmental, social and other problems.
Danger level 9 environments, also called apocalyptic environments, are defined by poverty, famine, war, diseases and a breakdown of society. If a functioning society of at least 1000 individuals is present the danger level of the surrounding 100 miles drops to level 8, a level 9 environment therefore only exists in the most dire of circumstances and usually recover partially fairly quickly. The only known enduring level 9 environments are 'Zombie Apocalypse of 1700', 'Demon Hell' and 'Wrath of the Gods'.