Australian government calls for review of Roblox PG rating after child grooming reports
Australian regulators are turning up the heat on the popular gaming platform Roblox, with plans to test its child safety promises and a ministerial demand for explanations over reports of grooming and harmful content.
The eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has written to the company stating that her office intends to verify commitments Roblox has made. These include disabling chat functions, making accounts for users under 16 private by default, and introducing tools to stop adults contacting children, as outlined by The Guardian. Following this assessment, the commissioner foreshadowed potential further action under Australia’s Online Safety Act.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has separately written to Roblox requesting an urgent meeting, saying she is “alarmed” by allegations of children accessing graphic user-generated material, including sexually explicit and suicidal content. She has also asked the Australian Classification Board to examine whether the platform’s PG rating remains appropriate.
Background of Concerns
The scrutiny follows ongoing reports of child exploitation and inappropriate material on Roblox, a service that allows users to create their own mini-games. Minister Wells cited media allegations that children can enter adult-oriented spaces within the game containing explicit sexual content, and referenced a Queensland man facing charges for allegedly grooming hundreds of children via platforms including Roblox.
A specific report by Guardian Australia last November documented a week of virtual sexual harassment and violence experienced by a reporter using an eight-year-old girl’s avatar, including being given a sexualised character, cyberbullied, and subjected to assault.
While platforms like Instagram and Snapchat were covered by Australia’s recent social media ban for under-16s, gaming sites such as Roblox were not included. The minister and her department are now investigating other regulatory options for these services.
Official Correspondence and Platform Stance
In her letter, Minister Wells noted that Roblox had worked with the eSafety commissioner on additional safety measures, but she stated that problems appear to persist, calling the situation “untenable” for Australian parents. She has also inquired with the eSafety commissioner about any possible short-term protective measures.
Roblox has not yet responded to the minister’s correspondence. However, in a statement, a company spokesperson said it was committed to safety, highlighting recently introduced age verification systems and cooperation with Australian law enforcement. The spokesperson said Roblox has “robust safety policies” and continuous efforts to strengthen protections, while acknowledging that no system is perfect.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she welcomed the minister’s involvement, emphasising the use of all available tools to keep children safe online.
