Australia Summons Roblox for Urgent Talks Over Child Grooming and Harmful Content
Canberra demands explanations and safety assurances from the gaming giant amid mounting reports of children being targeted and exposed to explicit material on the platform
The Australian government has formally requested an urgent meeting with the leadership of Roblox following a series of reports alleging that children using the globally popular gaming platform are being groomed by predators and exposed to graphic and inappropriate content.
Communications Minister Anika Wells wrote to the US-listed company expressing “grave concern” about media accounts that predators are actively approaching young users and that harmful user-generated material, including sexually explicit and suicidal content, is accessible to minors.
Canberra’s call comes as the country’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, signalled it will actively test whether Roblox has fulfilled its child-safety commitments made in recent years, particularly after the platform introduced age-assurance measures in 2025 intended to limit online chats to narrow age bands and prevent inappropriate contact between adults and minors.
The government’s action also reflects a broader regulatory environment in Australia, where an under-sixteen social media ban took effect in December and where digital platforms are expected to enforce age verification and other protections under the Online Safety Act.
Roblox, which draws tens of millions of daily users globally, said it has robust safety policies and processes designed to protect users that exceed those of many other digital services.
A company spokesperson noted that filters block the sharing of personal information, that chat functions do not permit user-to-user image or video sharing, and that age checks are required before access to chat features is granted.
The firm said it would meet with Australian officials to discuss its safety practices.
The government has also asked the Australian Classification Board to review whether Roblox’s current PG content rating remains appropriate in light of the concerns.
The eSafety Commissioner noted that if Roblox fails to comply with national online child protection laws, fines of up to A$49.5 million could be sought.
Australian parents and carers have voiced growing unease about the platform’s safety, intensifying pressure on both regulators and the technology company to enhance protections for children in virtual spaces.
Communications Minister Anika Wells wrote to the US-listed company expressing “grave concern” about media accounts that predators are actively approaching young users and that harmful user-generated material, including sexually explicit and suicidal content, is accessible to minors.
Canberra’s call comes as the country’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, signalled it will actively test whether Roblox has fulfilled its child-safety commitments made in recent years, particularly after the platform introduced age-assurance measures in 2025 intended to limit online chats to narrow age bands and prevent inappropriate contact between adults and minors.
The government’s action also reflects a broader regulatory environment in Australia, where an under-sixteen social media ban took effect in December and where digital platforms are expected to enforce age verification and other protections under the Online Safety Act.
Roblox, which draws tens of millions of daily users globally, said it has robust safety policies and processes designed to protect users that exceed those of many other digital services.
A company spokesperson noted that filters block the sharing of personal information, that chat functions do not permit user-to-user image or video sharing, and that age checks are required before access to chat features is granted.
The firm said it would meet with Australian officials to discuss its safety practices.
The government has also asked the Australian Classification Board to review whether Roblox’s current PG content rating remains appropriate in light of the concerns.
The eSafety Commissioner noted that if Roblox fails to comply with national online child protection laws, fines of up to A$49.5 million could be sought.
Australian parents and carers have voiced growing unease about the platform’s safety, intensifying pressure on both regulators and the technology company to enhance protections for children in virtual spaces.
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