Roblox users’ exposure to child abuse, suicide content ‘horrendous’, federal minister says
Expanding online platform Roblox has allegedly failed to stamp out pornographic and suicidal material despite extensive assurances to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, the federal communications minister has said.
The Minister requested an urgent meeting on Roblox.
“I am alarmed by reports that children are being exposed to graphic and unnecessary user-generated content on the platform, including sexually explicit and suicidal material,” Communications Minister Anika Wells said in the letter. he said.
“Even more troubling are ongoing reports and concerns of children being approached and groomed by predators who actively seek to exploit their curiosity and innocence.”
“This is indefensible and these issues are deeply concerning… That is why I am seeking an urgent meeting with you to discuss the steps Roblox is taking to improve security outcomes and experiences on its platform.”
Roblox is a huge platform that allows people to create games and virtual worlds.
The company reported that it hosts 151.5 million daily users who participate in the work of 3.5 million developers.
Approximately 44 percent of daily users are over 17, according to third-party analysts.
The Asia-Pacific region represents the platform’s largest market, with 29.5 percent of users coming from the region.
Reports of predator grooming on Roblox are horrific, Ms. Wells says.
“The reports we are hearing about children being exposed to graphic content on Roblox and predators actively using the platform to groom young people are horrific. Something must be done now,” he said.
“Such harms show why we need a digital duty of care that puts the onus on digital platforms to proactively keep their users, especially children, safe.”
Roblox is exempt from the under-16 social media ban because it is clearly a gaming platform and not a social media platform.
In November, the eSafety Commissioner announced that Roblox was “on line” for an under-16 ban and that the banned list could grow.
Roblox requires facial age checks for all users to enter chats.
The company says that none of the messages shared on the platform are encrypted, so the company can scan and monitor all conversations.
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