Child safety activists have urged the UK’s communications watchdog to enforce new online laws following accusations that video game companies have turned their platforms into “hellscapes for adult pedophiles.” They are calling for “gradual changes.”
Last week, Roblox, a popular gaming platform with 80 million daily users, came under fire for its lax security controls. An investment firm in the US criticized Roblox, claiming that its games expose children to grooming, pornography, violent content, and abusive language. The company has denied these claims and stated that safety and civility are fundamental to their operations.
The report highlighted concerning issues such as users seeking to groom avatars, trading in child pornography, accessible sex games, violent content, and abusive behavior on Roblox. Despite these concerns, the company insists that millions of users have safe and positive experiences on the platform, and any safety incidents are taken seriously.
Roblox, known for its user-generated content, allows players to create and play their own games with friends. However, child safety campaigners emphasize the need for stricter enforcement of online safety laws to protect young users from harmful content and interactions on platforms like Roblox.
Platforms like Roblox will need to implement measures to protect children from inappropriate content, prevent grooming, and introduce age verification processes to comply with the upcoming legislation. Ofcom, the regulator responsible for enforcing these laws, is expected to have broad enforcement powers to ensure user safety.
In response, a Roblox spokesperson stated that the company is committed to full compliance with the Online Safety Act, engaging in consultations and assessments to align with Ofcom’s guidelines. They look forward to seeing the final code of practice and ensuring a safe online environment for all users.
Source: www.theguardian.com
