Controversial gaming platform Roblox has been put under the spotlight, with continued reports of predators targeting children with sexually explicit and suicidal material.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has called for an urgent meeting with the popular platform, two months after Australia’s social media ban on under-16s came into effect.
She is alarmed by claims that young Roblox users are being exposed to explicit and unnecessary user-generated content.
“Even more disturbing are reports and concerns about children being approached and groomed by predators, who actively seek to exploit their curiosity and innocence,” Wells said in a statement.
Australia’s minimum age restrictions for social media came into effect on December 10, requiring digital platforms to verify users’ ages and lock accounts for those under 16.
Ten digital platforms were asked to comply with the law, including Google’s YouTube, Meta’s Facebook, Instagram and Threads, as well as Snapchat, Reddit and TikTok.
A matter of ‘deep concern’
Roblox, which is legally unnamed, revealed that 60 percent of its daily active users in Australia had completed age checks.
The platform is not a single game, but is described as a vast ecosystem of user-created “experiences” hosted on it.
Leading up to the ban, parents raised concerns about the harm to Roblox, including sexually explicit and suicidal content shared in public chats.
Wells said the content remained despite Roblox’s “extensive” eSafety work over the past two years.
“This is unsustainable and these issues are of great concern to many Australian parents and caregivers,” she said.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Roblox must take immediate action to prevent predators from accessing children following the “horrendous” reports.
Roblox informed eSafety that it has kept its promises under the ban, including disabling features such as instant chats and voting features for Australian children.
Inman Grant said the platform would be assessed for compliance.
“We remain deeply concerned about the continued reports of child exploitation on the Roblox service and exposure to harmful material,” she said.
“They can and must do more to protect children, and when we meet I will ask how they plan to do that.”
A digital duty of care
Platforms that refuse to comply with the social media ban could face fines of up to $49.5 million.
Wells has asked the internet watchdog what powers could be increased to combat the damage to Roblox, as the government works to legislate a digital duty of care.
The proposed legal obligation is separate from the social media ban and would apply to major online platforms to take proactive, reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to users.
The commissioner said codes targeting age-restricted material, including pornography and self-harm, would come into effect on March 9 and apply to Roblox.
Readers seeking help can call Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at Beyondblue.org.au And lifeline.org.au.
Anyone seeking information or support regarding sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.
For the latest news from SBS News, download our app And subscribe to our newsletter.
#Roblox #warned #disturbing #child #grooming #reports