Australia has issued a strong warning to online gaming giant Roblox amid growing concerns that children may be exposed to exploitation and grooming on the platform.
On Tuesday, Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed she has written directly to Roblox, demanding an urgent meeting to address reports of child exploitation and harmful content. With an estimated 100 million daily users worldwide, Roblox is one of the most popular gaming platforms globally. Alarmingly, children under the age of 13 make up about 40 percent of its user base in 2024, according to the company itself.
Despite its popularity, Roblox has faced repeated criticism over its ability to keep young users safe. Critics argue that existing safeguards are not strong enough to protect children from violent or sexual material. A 2024 report by Hindenburg Research sharply criticized the platform, describing it as a space where children were exposed to grooming and inappropriate content.
Speaking on Australia’s national broadcaster ABC, Minister Wells expressed deep concern, stating that children as young as four or five were reportedly encountering graphic and disturbing material on the platform. She described the situation as unacceptable and said she had formally asked Australia’s internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, to consider urgent action against the company.
Roblox has previously announced plans to introduce compulsory facial recognition or ID verification for users who wish to access chat features, a move aimed at reducing risks tied to anonymous interactions. In response to the minister’s comments, the California-based company said it welcomed the opportunity to engage with the Australian government and explain the measures it has in place to protect its community.
A company spokesperson maintained that Roblox enforces robust safety policies and processes, claiming these protections go beyond those used by many other platforms.
Notably, Roblox was listed among platforms such as Discord, WhatsApp, and Lego Play that were exempted from Australia’s ban on under-16s joining major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which took effect on December 10.
However, concerns about child safety have already led other governments to take tougher action. Roblox has been banned in countries including Qatar, Iraq, and Turkey, and legal action has been taken against the platform in U.S. states such as Texas and Louisiana, all citing child protection issues.
At the heart of this debate is a simple but urgent question: how safe are children online? As digital playgrounds replace physical ones, parents and governments alike are grappling with the responsibility of protecting young minds. Behind every statistic is a child who deserves to explore, play, and learn without fear. The pressure is now on platforms like Roblox to prove that safety is not just a promise, but a priority.
