Generation Gap

Generation Gap
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​Baby Boomers tend to shy away from immersive technology, having grown up on audio platforms and TV, while younger generations seem to have no trouble donning headsets and gesturing wildly as they venture into AR/XR/VR worlds.  When it really gets down to where such technology will be over the next 10 to 15 years, the only group to ask are teens, and that is just what the XR Association did with 600 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19.  The idea was to compare current answers with a similar survey taken in 2022 to see if and by how much opinions about immersive technology had changed.
Here are some of the findings:

• 44% of teens have personally used a VR headset, compared to 38% in 2022.
• 52% of teens have used XR in school, compared to 49% in 2022.
• 21% of teens personally own a VR headset.

Teens adopting XR technology recognize its educational value and report increased integration across the following subjects:

• Math: 16% in 2025 v. 11% in 2022
• Art: 24% in 2025 v. 22% in 2022
• Science: 25% in 2025 v. 24% in 2022
• 34% of teens indicate that if a class included XR instruction, they would want to take that class
• 24% of teens indicated that they would more likely pursue a college that offers XR as a part of its curriculum.
• 25% of teens are interested in XR careers.
• 20% of teens expect to use VR in their future jobs.

When teens were asked how they are using immersive technology here’s what they said:

• 65% said XR can be used for fun
• 61% said XR can be used for creativity
• 46% said XR can help to connect with friends
• 44% said XR helps with learning.

But not everything was positive when it came to XR and immersive technology.  Here are some of the concerns expressed by teens in the survey:

• Cost – In 2025 50% saw this as a concern v. 58% in 2022
• Addiction – In 2025 44% saw this as a concern, while in 2022 it was 51%
• Spending less time outside – In 2025 it was 43% v 48% in 2022
• Privacy – In 2025 it was 43% while in 2022 it was 45%
• Lack of Access – 34% in 2025 v. 44% in 2022
• Bullying – 15% in 2025 v. 17% in 2022. (Not sure how Xr might help this?)

The survey also pointed to an increased awareness that moderation and privacy tools lead to a better XR experience:

• 82% report a greater enthusiasm for XR when they are aware of moderation and privacy tools
• 62% are aware of moderation and privacy tools.
• 67% say that using moderation and privacy tools improves their experience.

XR is thought to be creating more inclusive and supportive digital spaces for teens, which encourages community participation.  Here’s what they said:

• 43% of teens have used XR to participate in online communities and events.
• 63% of teens report a positive experience with XR that made them feel included, regardless of disability, language, or other barriers.

While there was no conclusion from the XR association, the direction was obvious, as one might expect from an industry association whose job it is to promote the technology.  That said, we were a bit surprised how little change there was between the 2022 and the 2025 results in many of the categories.  With the proliferation of XR devices from Mata, Apple, and others, we would have thought teens would be more enamored with the technology and more excited about its prospects.  We do temper our disappointment as we view XR as a way to become free from desktop monitors and as an adjunct to our ability to satisfy our constant curiosity with a twist of the head or a quick question.  Teens typically have yet to enter the workforce and would therefore have a different perspective, likely on more oriented toward entertainment than making a workday more productive, so we assume that teens will see XR from a slightly different perspective as they grow into the workforce.  For now it is entertainment and education as the focus for XR, neither of which are surprising for those under 20.