Parents now have the ability to communicate with specific friends on Roblox, an online gaming platform popular among children, or restrict children from playing certain games.
This update is part of a series of safety enhancements designed to give parents more control over their child’s experience on the platform.
Starting Wednesday, parents and caregivers who verify their identity through ID or credit card will gain access to three new tools. The Friend Management Tool allows blocking individuals on the child’s friends list, preventing direct messaging with their accounts, and reporting rule-breaking users.
Parents can also adjust the content maturity level of their child’s account, manage their access to games, and view detailed screen time statistics.
Under new online safety regulations, tech companies must address harmful content on their platforms or face substantial fines.
Roblox, the UK’s most popular gaming platform among 8 to 12-year-olds, has faced concerns about bullying, grooming, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s chief safety officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, striving to be the world’s safest online platform.
With over 80 million daily players, 40% under the age of 13, Roblox is one of the largest gaming platforms globally, surpassing the combined monthly users of Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation.
In the past year, Roblox introduced 40 safety updates, including restrictions on direct messaging for users under 13 and improved voice safety technology.
Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, welcomed the safety improvements but highlighted the ongoing challenges with inappropriate content on Roblox.
He raised concerns about age-inappropriate games and communities on the platform, urging Roblox to address these issues for the safety of younger users.
Last month, Roblox’s co-founder and CEO, David Baszucki, expressed the platform’s focus on user protection and emphasized the importance of parental involvement in deciding whether children should use Roblox.
Source: www.theguardian.com
