Immersion helps children affected by war trauma

• Unfortunately, wars happen daily. They affect not only adults but also children who are observatories of older’s conflicts.
• Educational workshops gave them a chance to learn, socialize and have fun in a safe environment.
• Virtual reality technology allows the children to experience different scenarios and forget for a moment about war.

War deprives children of their carefree childhood

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has significantly affected many people’s lives, especially children. Many of these children have lost their families, homes, and loved ones due to the war. However, there is hope for some, as they have been taken care of or adopted by families living on the conflict’s front lines.

The children face many challenges – adapting to a new environment, society, and sometimes even culture and language. They also have to deal with the trauma of the war, which can be a significant burden for young minds.

Giving a chance to therapeutically clear the minds

To help these children cope with the war challenges, educational workshops with new technologies, including virtual reality, are used to provide therapeutic activities.

The event was organized by the Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship and the Giant Lazer company, which produces virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. These classes are designed to help the children develop a plan for their future professional path and to assist them in dealing with the emotional trauma of the war. During the workshop, Katarzyna Walowska, a fantastic Junior Quality Assurance, from Giant Lazer explained to the children what immersive technologies are, differences between VR / AR / MR, and what devices are used to access them. She then demonstrated to participants how to use the Oculus Quest 1, a VR headset, and gave the children a unique opportunity to explore VR educational applications and games.

VR technology in education is an effective tool

Virtual reality technology allows the children to experience different scenarios and environments, helping them to develop a sense of control over their surroundings. For example, they can explore different careers and environments to help them make informed decisions about their future.

The children from Ukraine were fascinated by the VR technology and were amazed by the immersive experiences they could have. They were able to interact with virtual objects and characters, and learn in a fun and engaging way. The workshop provided the children with a much-needed break from the stress and trauma of their situation, and it gave them a chance to learn, socialize and have fun in a safe environment.

Immersive activities for children have great potential

The event was a success, showing the potential of immersive technologies to provide therapeutic and educational benefits to children affected by war and conflict. The organizers expressed their hope that similar workshops could be held in the future and that more children could benefit from these technologies, providing more children with the opportunity to benefit from immersive technologies.

In conclusion, thanks to Giant Lazer XR Lab, we demonstrated the positive impact VR can have on children’s well-being and education. It is an excellent example of how technology can make a difference in young and older people’s lives.