Bolstering Online Safety: Roblox Updates Policy for Pre-Teen Users Amid Allegations of Child-Safety Faux Pas
Roblox Reverses Course on Child Safety After Accusations of Failing to Protect Younger Users
In a surprise move, Roblox Corporation has announced significant changes to its child-safety policies, aiming to better protect its younger user base. This shift comes on the heels of persistent allegations that the company has consistently failed to safeguard its predominantly juvenile player base, exacerbated by a recent report deeming Roblox an "X-rated pedophile hellscape" that exposes children to harmful content.
A series of events
In July, Bloomberg revealed that Roblox had reported 13,316 instances of child exploitation last year, with over two dozen people arrested for abusing minors following in-game contact. A subsequent report from short-selling firm Hindenberg Research, published in August, accused Roblox of deliberately inflating player numbers when reporting to investors, while also sharing numerous examples of the company’s apparent failure to keep children safe.
Despite Roblox’s swift denials, with the company dismissing these reports as "misleading" and "mischaracterized," the announcements have led to a sea change in the company’s stance on child safety.
New measures
To combat concerns, Roblox has introduced new measures to protect its younger users. Starting soon, children under the age of 13 will need parental permission to access "chat features" by default. For those under the age of 9, additional approval will be required to play experiences with a content maturity rating of "moderate," which can include "moderate violence or crude humor." These restrictions will be automatically lifted as users reach specific age milestones, unless parents or users make changes manually.
Parental control and insights
Roblox is also introducing a new type of account for parents, set to launch next month. This account will allow parents to update parental controls from their own device, gain insights into their child’s online activity and friends, and link their account to their child’s to monitor and adjust settings.
A renewed commitment to child safety
Roblox has long been a topic of controversy in the gaming world, with accusations of exploiting young developers and failing to keep children safe. This latest announcement is part of the company’s "commitment to making the platform one of the safest online environments for our users, particularly the youngest users."
Whether these new measures will be enough to address the concerns surrounding Roblox’s treatment of children remains to be seen. One thing is clear, however: the company is taking steps to address the issue and ensure a safer experience for its younger users.
