A game developer working with the Roblox platform has said that child protection measures, including age verification, are not convincing enough, writes the BBC.
Roblox is the most popular video game platform in the UK among children aged eight to 12. Speaking to BBC Radio 5, the game developer, who wished to remain anonymous, said that parents should constantly monitor their children’s activities on the platform, and if this is not possible, children should not play Roblox.
A representative for the platform, meanwhile, indicated that safety is a top priority and that security measures and filters have been implemented to prevent the spread of harmful content and communication and to ensure the safety of users.
In 2024, Roblox was used by more than 80 million daily users worldwide, and about 40% of them were under 13. The developer, who gave his name as Sam and did not want to give his real name, contacted the BBC after listening to an interview with Roblox’s chief security officer, Matt Kaufman. Kaufman spoke in the interview about the extensive safety checks on the platform, including mandatory age checks that have been in place in the UK since January this year.
Sam is not an employee of Roblox, but works as an independent game developer for a company that works with the platform. He also works as a volunteer for a non-profit organization that works on online safety issues. Sam stressed that his own experience –
security on Roblox is nowhere near what Kaufman described.
Roblox is a platform where each player can create their own game, or use games created by others. It works as an open world game where players communicate with each other. Developers must provide a description of the game, including age suitability. Any player can create games and earn money from advertising or by charging other players to play their games. Some are included in Roblox’s developer program and receive payments from the platform based on engagement or bringing new players to the platform.
Critics have said the platform should do more to protect very young players, and have said that groomers are using Roblox to find victims. There have also been accusations that the games expose children to harmful or violent content. Sam said he has seen users being lured into inappropriate interactions with strangers. He has seen users being coaxed into continuing interactions and games outside the platform, which are not allowed under Roblox’s rules. The platform also includes games that require players to kill as many people as possible in simulated school shootings, and there are also depictions of the island of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sam added that
violations can be reported by submitting a report form, but only about 30% of reports are approved.
Asked what to do for parents whose children start playing Roblox, he said that constant supervision is necessary, and without it, a child should not be on the platform.
In a statement to the BBC, Roblox stated that it was taking immediate action to prevent violations of the rules. It uses a certified age verification system, and children can only chat with players of their own age. It also monitors user behavior. If it is found that a user’s actions do not correspond to the specified age, age verification must be repeated.
Roblox is banned in several countries around the world, and others have included the platform on the list of sites that are not allowed to be used until a certain age, for example, 16 years.
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