Roblox is implementing changes to enhance safety for kids following recent reports of child abuse associated with the platform.
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Roblox is an immensely popular online gaming platform that features a diverse array of games within its own expansive universe. It primarily caters to a younger audience. Users have the ability to create their own games, engage with games developed by others, and communicate with fellow players. Parents are likely familiar with the platform, and some may even incentivize their children to complete household tasks with Roblox gift cards.
In the second quarter of 2024, Roblox reported an average of 79.5 million daily users engaging with its games. These users collectively spent 17.4 billion hours on the platform, averaging just over 200 hours per user annually, which translates to approximately 40 minutes each day.
While children can enjoy entertaining digital experiences and even acquire fundamental programming skills on Roblox, they may also encounter distressing situations, such as exposure to inappropriate content, grooming, or cyberbullying.
These concerning incidents involving children are the official rationale behind Turkey’s decision to prohibit access to Roblox on August 7.
Roblox is set to restrict access for children to specific types of experiences following allegations that the platform has facilitated child abuse.
One of the new measures will prevent users under the age of 13 from engaging with experiences that include “certain types of interactive features,” as stated in a post on the developer forum. These features encompass “social hangouts,” which primarily focus on communication through text or voice chat, as well as “free-form 2D user creation” experiences, where players can engage in activities such as drawing on a chalkboard or whiteboard. This policy will take effect on November 18th. Additionally, another measure will prohibit children under 13 from playing, searching for, or discovering unrated experiences, with this change coming into effect after December 3rd. Should a creator wish to allow a player under 13 to access their game, they must complete a questionnaire and ensure that all information regarding their experience complies with Roblox’s standards for its current All Ages or 9 plus ratings. Roblox has indicated that it will begin enforcing these requirements “next year.”
Recent reports have highlighted concerns regarding Roblox’s alleged inadequate protections for children, including a Bloomberg article titled “Roblox’s Pedophile Problem.” In October, the company announced new measures for pre-teen users and introduced a new account type to enable parents to manage their children’s activities on Roblox.
“We are continually enhancing our safety systems and policies — we have implemented over 30 improvements this year and have more planned,” stated spokesperson Juliet Chaitin-Lefcourt in a communication to The Verge. “As a company committed to transparency with our developer community, we felt it was essential to share important information about the forthcoming changes prior to their implementation. The DevForum contains all the details regarding these upcoming changes that we are currently disclosing. It is crucial to understand that at Roblox, we are perpetually innovating in the realm of safety, and we will never cease our efforts.”
Why did Turkey suddenly ban Roblox?
Turkey’s Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated in a machine-translated message on X that “our constitution mandates that our state must take necessary measures to protect our children.”
The Adana 6th Criminal Court of Peace addressed the issue, referencing an internet governance law enacted in Turkey in 2007 and updated in 2020, which led to the immediate prohibition of access to Roblox.
This law stipulates rapid actions. If a court finds content on an online platform to be unlawful, the president of the Information Technology and Communication Authority is required to review the ruling within 24 hours. Should a ban be deemed necessary, it must be enforced within four hours.
This development poses significant challenges for Roblox. Turkish authorities concluded that “the infringement could not be mitigated by merely blocking access to the infringing content,” resulting in a complete site ban.
Roblox has released a statement indicating that they are collaborating with local authorities to resolve the ban. The company will need to demonstrate that their content can be moderated effectively to ensure the safety of children.
Additionally, Turkey has recently imposed a ban on Instagram and is considering a similar action against TikTok. The ban on Instagram lasted for nine days, reportedly due to the platform’s alleged obstruction of condolence posts following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
How safe are kids playing Roblox?
The extent of the concerning content issue on Roblox and similar major technology platforms is challenging to measure. The processes for monitoring and reporting on these expansive social media and gaming environments often lack transparency.
Real-life testimonies from parents regarding their children’s interactions are alarming, intensifying criticism that Roblox does not adequately oversee the content that reaches children’s message boxes.
In a report by the BBC earlier this year, an eight-year-old boy disclosed that individuals he encountered on Roblox solicited nude photographs from him. Since 2018, at least 20 individuals have been apprehended in the United States on charges related to harassment or kidnapping of users they met on Roblox.
Given that 42% of Roblox users are under the age of 13, it is evident why the platform attracts such offenders. This situation understandably raises concerns for parents and authorities in Turkey regarding the potential dangers faced by children.
Roblox actively endeavors to regulate the content available on its platform. In 2023, the company reported 13,316 incidents to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a significant increase from 2,973 reports in 2022. However, given that the platform boasts a monthly active user base exceeding 200 million, such figures are often met with skepticism.
The issues of grooming and child exploitation are not exclusive to Roblox. Other platforms have recently taken steps to enhance transparency regarding their monitoring efforts and to implement protective measures for children. This includes collaborations with reputable third-party organizations to amplify the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Earlier this year, Aylo, the owner of Pornhub, engaged in an assessment of a deterrence campaign on their platform. In the United Kingdom, Project Intercept, led by the Lucy Faithful Foundation, is collaborating with technology platforms to combat online sexual abuse of children.
