Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Jerry Alan Fails, Boise State University
Presentation Date
7-2025
Abstract
Extended reality (XR) is a quickly developing field of technology representing novel physical and privacy risks for children. End-User License Agreements (EULAs) are designed to explain these risks to the consumer (end-user), however, they are often dense, linguistically complex, and packed with legal jargon. EULAs are even more problematic for children, who are still developing their language skills. In our research, we identify and analyze the EULAs of several XR applications for child users. We use various readability algorithms to gauge the grade level at which most users could understand the content. Using qualitative, thematic analysis, we iteratively determined the predominant risks and rights presented in these documents and organized them into top level codes such as data concerns and physical safety. This analysis helped inform us as we created initial guidelines for a new child-accessible presentation format for EULAs in XR. We then created a prototype EULA developed with Unity to demonstrate these guidelines in practice. This work aims to increase understanding of what risks current XR applications—and their EULAs—pose to children and families and initiate progress towards mitigating those concerns.
A Novel Approach to Extended Reality EULA Presentation for Improved Child Safety
Extended reality (XR) is a quickly developing field of technology representing novel physical and privacy risks for children. End-User License Agreements (EULAs) are designed to explain these risks to the consumer (end-user), however, they are often dense, linguistically complex, and packed with legal jargon. EULAs are even more problematic for children, who are still developing their language skills. In our research, we identify and analyze the EULAs of several XR applications for child users. We use various readability algorithms to gauge the grade level at which most users could understand the content. Using qualitative, thematic analysis, we iteratively determined the predominant risks and rights presented in these documents and organized them into top level codes such as data concerns and physical safety. This analysis helped inform us as we created initial guidelines for a new child-accessible presentation format for EULAs in XR. We then created a prototype EULA developed with Unity to demonstrate these guidelines in practice. This work aims to increase understanding of what risks current XR applications—and their EULAs—pose to children and families and initiate progress towards mitigating those concerns.