Roblox Under Fire: Child Safety Fears Ignite

Communications Minister Anika Wells has expressed alarm over reports alleging children are exposed to explicit sexual content and self-harm material on the game service Roblox. She has written to the platform demanding an explanation and has asked the Australian Classification Board to review its PG rating.

The eSafety Commissioner has also contacted Roblox, stating an intention to test the company's commitments to child safety. These commitments include disabling chat features and making underage accounts private by default. The commissioner previously noted ongoing concerns about child exploitation and exposure to harmful material.

Wells highlighted media reports detailing children accessing adult spaces with explicit content. She also referenced charges against a Queensland man accused of grooming hundreds of children across platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Snapchat. These issues are a significant concern for Australian parents and carers.