adminImage credit: Roblox
Roblox child safety concerns have prompted Australian officials to call on the platform to address reports of harmful content and alleged grooming. The issue has drawn attention to how online games protect younger users, what safeguards are currently in place and whether further government action may follow. Roblox responded on February 11, 2026, outlining its safety measures and saying it continues to strengthen them.
Roblox child safety concerns raised by Australian officials
On February 9, 2026, Australia’s communications minister, Anika Wells, asked Roblox to respond to concerns about the alleged exploitation of children on the service. Wells and eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant wrote to the company after reports described possible child grooming and young users’ exposure to harmful material.
Wells said she was alarmed by reports of children encountering graphic user-generated content, including sexually explicit and suicide-related material. She also raised concerns about reports that predators may approach children online. These are allegations and reports cited by officials; they should not be read as findings about every user or interaction on the platform.
Inman Grant welcomed the government’s involvement and said her office was using available tools to help protect children online. For families, the practical takeaway is to talk with children about unexpected contact, review account and device settings together, and report concerning interactions through the relevant safety channels.
Undercover investigation and possible policy changes
An undercover investigation published in November by an Australian news outlet described a week of alleged virtual sexual harassment and violence. The report said the journalist, while using an account presented as belonging to an eight-year-old girl, encountered sexualised content and abusive conduct despite parental controls being enabled.
Wells asked the eSafety commissioner’s department to advise on possible short-term measures. Options mentioned included reviewing Roblox’s PG classification and considering whether the Online Safety Act should be extended. The material provided does not confirm that either option has been adopted.
Australia’s restriction on social media use by people under 16 does not currently cover gaming platforms such as Roblox. This distinction matters for parents: rules that apply to social networking services may not automatically apply to games with chat or user-generated experiences.
Roblox’s response and safety measures
In its February 11 statement, Roblox said it has safety policies and systems intended to detect harmful content and communications. The company said filters are designed to block the sharing of personal information, its chat features do not support user-to-user image or video sharing, and users must complete age checks before accessing chat. It also said those checks help default younger users to chatting with people in similar age groups.
Roblox added that it works with Australian law enforcement to support investigations. The company acknowledged that no system is perfect and said its safety work is ongoing. These statements describe the company’s position; they do not resolve the concerns raised by Australian officials.
Recent platform safeguards
Roblox has introduced additional measures over the past year, including a “sensitive issues” label for some experiences. In November 2024, it restricted direct messaging for users under 13 and limited some messages they could broadcast in games and experiences. After voluntary age checks were introduced in November to help limit communication between minors and adults, the company began global enforcement of age verification for users seeking access to chat last month.
Parents and carers can use these changes as a prompt to review what a child can access, who can contact them and whether settings are appropriate for their age. Controls can reduce some risks, but regular conversations and reporting concerning behaviour remain important.
What happens next?
Australian officials have sought a response and advice on potential measures, while Roblox says it will continue developing its protections and cooperating with law enforcement. The discussion highlights ongoing questions about how gaming platforms moderate user-created content and keep children safer during online communication.
Roblox child safety concerns remain an issue for families, regulators and the platform. The next steps will depend on the government’s assessment, any further response from Roblox and whether officials decide that existing protections or rules need to change.
