Members of parliament and child safety experts are advocating for the inclusion of the online game Roblox in Australia’s upcoming social media age ban. They express concerns that significant loopholes in the legislation could expose children to online predators. With over 380 million users globally, Roblox is widely popular yet presents unique challenges in terms of child safety.
Concerns Over Online Safety
Professor Lisa Given, an expert in information sciences at RMIT University in Melbourne, emphasizes that while Roblox is marketed as a creative gaming platform, its social components raise serious safety issues. “Roblox is really interesting. It’s a creative space. Many children are on this platform because it allows them to build new worlds and use their creativity to the best of their abilities,” she noted.
Despite gaming platforms being exempt from the initial social media age ban legislation, many include significant social interaction features. Given highlights the complexities involved in defining these platforms. “The critical piece here is that many of these platforms also have a huge social component. So it becomes a really complex question of whether they are considered social media or something different,” she explained.
Predatory Behaviour and Parental Guidance
Given raised alarms about the prevalence of predatory behaviour on Roblox. “We know that Roblox, in particular, has had a lot of concerns around grooming. Many predators are active on these spaces because so many children are on the platforms.” This highlights the necessity for parents to remain vigilant and engaged with their children’s online activities.
The expert cautioned that parents might develop a false sense of security regarding the age ban legislation. She described the measures as appearing “simple on paper” but noted they are “very difficult to implement because of the nature of these platforms.”
In response to safety concerns, Roblox plans to enhance privacy controls and increase parental oversight of the platform, with changes expected to be implemented shortly.
Given advises that parents should actively participate in their children’s online experiences. “The number one piece always is: know what your kids are doing. What are the platforms they’re engaging in? Ideally, parents should be working and playing with their kids on these platforms.”
To support parents in navigating online safety, she recommends utilizing resources from the eSafety Commissioner’s Office, which offers toolkits and guidance on combating online harm and understanding digital technologies.
As discussions continue around the social media age ban, the inclusion of platforms like Roblox remains a critical topic of debate, with the safety of children online taking priority.
