Controversial gaming platform Roblox has been put on notice, with persistent reports predators are targeting kids with sexually explicit and suicidal material.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has requested an urgent meeting with the popular platform two months after Australia's world-leading under-16s social media ban kicked in.
She's alarmed by claims young Roblox users are being exposed to graphic and gratuitous user-generated content.
"Even more disturbing are reports and concerns about children being approached and groomed by predators, who actively seek to exploit their curiosity and innocence," Wells said in a statement.
Australia's social media minimum age restrictions came into effect on 10 December and require digital platforms to verify users' ages and lock accounts for those younger than 16.
Ten digital platforms were asked to comply with the law, including Google's YouTube, Meta's Facebook, Instagram and Threads, as well as Snapchat, Reddit and TikTok.
An issue of 'deep concern'
Roblox, which is not named under the law, revealed 60 per cent of its Australian daily active users had undertaken age checks.
The platform is not a single game, but is described as a vast ecosystem of user-created "experiences" hosted on it.
In the lead-up to the ban, parents expressed concerns over harms on Roblox, including sexually explicit and suicidal content being shared in public chats.
Wells said content was persisting, despite Roblox engaging "extensively" with eSafety over the past two years.
"This is untenable and these issues are of deep concern to many Australian parents and carers," she said.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said Roblox must immediately take action to block predators having access to children after the "horrendous" reports.
Roblox informed eSafety it delivered on its commitments under the ban, including switching off features such as direct chats and voice functions for Australian kids.
Inman Grant said the platform would be assessed for its compliance.
"We remain highly concerned by ongoing reports regarding the exploitation of children on the Roblox service, and exposure to harmful material," she said.
"They can and must do more to protect kids, and when we meet I'll be asking how they propose to do that."
A digital duty of care
Platforms that decline to comply with the social media ban face fines of up to $49.5 million.
Wells has asked the internet watchdog what powers can be ramped up to combat harms on Roblox as the government works towards legislating a digital duty of care.
The proposed legal obligation is separate from the social media ban and would apply to large online platforms to take proactive, reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harms to users.
The commissioner said codes focused on age-restricted material, including pornography and self-harm, would come into force on 9 March and apply to Roblox.
Readers seeking support can ring Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at beyondblue.org.au and lifeline.org.au.
Anyone seeking information or support relating to sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.
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