Australia says platforms like Steam and Roblox have 'significant' child safety gaps
Australia's eSafety Commissioner has identified significant child safety gaps across major gaming platforms including Steam, Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft. The report highlights concerns regarding predatory behavior, inadequate age verification, and the lack of proactive content moderation technologies.
Why it matters
This report puts pressure on global gaming giants to overhaul their safety protocols to protect minors from online grooming and harmful content.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says gaming platforms must "lift their game" on child safety
Australia's online safety regulator has found "significant gaps" in how popular gaming platforms protect children online.
In a new report it found inconsistent approaches in how Steam, Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft implement child safety measures as research shows nine out of 10 children aged 8 to 17 in Australia have played online games.
"Australian children have a right to play online without being exposed to predators, sexual extortionists, violent extremist content or other harmful material," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
Roblox said it "prioritises the safety of our Australian community, especially the youngest users". The other platforms have been contacted for comment.
Weak safety on platforms allow "predatory adults" to make contact with children before grooming them, Inman Grant said, for sexual exploitation or radicalisation.
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