ON
← Back to feed
‘One of the worst things to happen to childhood’: Parents concerned Roblox will slip through gaps in online safety crackdown
United Kingdom🏛️ Politics8 hr. ago

‘One of the worst things to happen to childhood’: Parents concerned Roblox will slip through gaps in online safety crackdown

Parents and experts express concerns that the UK's upcoming online safety regulations may not adequately protect children using Roblox, an online gaming platform where users create and share games. Campaigners describe Roblox as a potential risk for predators and warn of its negative impact on childhood. While the UK government plans to ban under-16s from social media and introduce restrictions on gaming platforms, Roblox has introduced new features aimed at younger users, including age checks and parental controls. A recent Ofcom study found that Roblox is widely used by UK children aged 8-14, though it has also been associated with incidents of grooming and child exploitation. One case involved a 19-year-old man who was jailed for targeting a 14-year-old girl on the platform. Parents report that their children experience uncomfortable interactions and that age verification systems can be bypassed, leading to scams and other risks.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and your personalized For You feed.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and your personalized For You feed.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and your personalized For You feed.

Become a Supporter

1 reports

The Independent logoThe IndependentIndependentLeft8 hr. ago
‘One of the worst things to happen to childhood’: Parents concerned Roblox will slip through gaps in online safety crackdown

Parents and experts express concerns that the UK's upcoming online safety regulations may not adequately protect children using Roblox, an online gaming platform where users create and share games. Campaigners describe Roblox as a potential risk for predators and warn of its negative impact on childhood. While the UK government plans to ban under-16s from social media and introduce restrictions on gaming platforms, Roblox has introduced new features aimed at younger users, including age checks and parental controls. A recent Ofcom study found that Roblox is widely used by UK children aged 8-14, though it has also been associated with incidents of grooming and child exploitation. One case involved a 19-year-old man who was jailed for targeting a 14-year-old girl on the platform. Parents report that their children experience uncomfortable interactions and that age verification systems can be bypassed, leading to scams and other risks.

Bias read (Left): The article frames the issue as a significant threat to children's safety, emphasizing the dangers of Roblox and criticizing the adequacy of proposed government measures. It highlights concerns raised by parents and experts, portraying the current regulatory approach as insufficient. The focus on 'g

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories