Graham Fraser
Technological journalist
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Parents will be able to block their game children and specific experiences on Roblox as part of new safety measures announced by the extremely popular game platform.
They will also be able to block or report the friends of their children, and the platform will provide more information on games than young users play.
The measures will only apply to children under the age of 13 and who have parental checks set up on their accounts.
The announcements intervene after Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki told the BBC that parents should keep their children out of the platform if they were “not comfortable” with this.
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Roblox is one of the largest game platforms in the world, with more monthly users than Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation combined. In 2024, it was on average more than 80 million players per day, or about 40% of them below the age of 13.
ROBLOX – The most popular site in the United Kingdom for players from eight to 12 years old – was delighted by affirmations that some children are exposed to explicit or harmful content via its games.
However, in his interview with the BBC, Mr. Baszucki stressed that the company was vigilant to protect its users, with “tens of millions” people with “incredible” experiences on Roblox.
Announcing the latest security characteristics, Roblox’s security director Matt Kaufman said: “These tools, features and innovations reflect our mission to make Roblox the safest and most civil online platform in the world.”
A regulator spokesperson Ofcom said that the measures were “encouraging”, but that “added technological companies will have to do much more in the coming months to protect children online”.
“ Shooting the planes ”
In preparation for the interview with Mr. Baszucki, the BBC found a range of game titles with disturbing titles that had been recommended to an 11-year-old child on the platform.
They included games such as “late night boys and girls club RP” and “Shoot Down Planes … because why not?”
Parents with children who are 12 years old and under can now block these titles if they are uncomfortable with them.
They can also go further by managing with whom their children are friends.
They can already display the list of their children’s friends – they can now block or report people on this list, preventing them from exchanging direct messages.
Messaging between children had already been limited to the measures announced in November of last year.
In addition, parents will now be able to see the best games that their child has played on Roblox during the last week and how long they spent in each.
What do parents think?
Sally, north of Scotland, told the BBC last month that her nine-year-old daughter was treated on the platform in December of last year. Despite it to report it to Roblox, she never received an answer.
She praised the announcements as a “start -up”, but said that Roblox “should do better”.
She added: “What is missing is good user authentication. How does the company know that users are who they say they are-how will the authors be traced when the grooming continues to occur?”
Roblox highlighted BBC News its community standards, which have zero tolerance policy for the exploitation of minors.
Amir de Leeds told the BBC last month that his 15 -year -old son was “addicted” to Roblox, and can use the site until 14 hours a day.
He praised the changes announced today for young users, but wants the platform to be more and target the availability of inappropriate games for children.
Provided
Kathryn Foley and his daughter Helene had a very positive gaming experience on Roblox
Kathryn Foley’s daughter, elderly, Helene is a regular on Roblox. Kathryn ensures that her daughter avoids games where other players would speak to her, or friends’ requests.
Ms. Foley told BBC News: “I know I will absolutely use the game blocking function, and to see how long my daughter spends for special games – and also if she plays games, I didn’t know she was playing.”
Kirsty Solman spoke with the BBC of the way Roblox helped his 13 -year -old son, Kyle – who has ADHD, autism and severe anxiety – with social interactions.
She said: “These seem fantastic, in particular the blocking of experience, as a concern is the type of games to which our children access.”
Roblox has also announced the expansion of its vocal safety safety model (artificial intelligence), to help moderate vocal cats between players, with the functionality now available in seven additional languages.
Meanwhile, Roblox described the changes to his advertising model, the players to pay in play to watch advertisements on the platform.
The BBC has changed certain names in this report to protect the identity of young people.
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