Roblox shocks: online gaming platform should be snared by Australia’s social media ban for under-16s, experts and MPs say

Experts and Members of Parliament in Australia are calling for the online gaming platform Roblox to be included in the upcoming ban on social media for individuals under 16. This pressure follows a report detailing a week of virtual sexual harassment and violence experienced by a reporter posing as a child avatar on Roblox, even with parental controls enabled. While platforms like Instagram and Snapchat are set to be covered by the ban, which takes effect in December, Roblox is not, a situation critics deem "inexplicable." Critics argue that Roblox, with its chat functionality, user-generated content, and social interaction features, functions similarly to a social media platform and exposes children to risks such as gambling, cloned social media apps, and explicit content. The government's legislation defines age-restricted social media platforms as those whose "sole and significant purpose" is online gameplay, which currently excludes Roblox. However, some experts contend this definition is too narrow for platforms that blend gaming and social experiences. In response to concerns, a spokesperson for the communications minister stated that Roblox is not exempt from its responsibilities under the Online Safety Act. The eSafety commissioner's o... download the app to read more