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Australia Puts Roblox on Notice as Minister Seeks Urgent Meeting and Regulator Tests Child-Safety Pledges

eSafety will verify Roblox’s 2025 safeguards and can pursue major penalties under the Online Safety Act if breaches are found.

Overview

  • Communications Minister Anika Wells wrote to Roblox requesting an urgent meeting after reports that children are encountering sexually explicit, suicidal material and grooming on the platform.
  • eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant told Roblox the regulator will directly test delivery of nine safety commitments, including private-by-default accounts for under-16s and tools to block unsolicited adult contact.
  • The regulator said non-compliance could trigger enforcement action, with potential fines of up to A$49.5 million under the Online Safety Act.
  • The government has asked the Australian Classification Board to reassess Roblox’s 2018 PG rating and is considering short-term measures ahead of new age-restricted content codes taking effect on March 9.
  • Roblox said it has robust protections, works with Australian law enforcement and welcomes the chance to brief the minister on steps it is taking to keep users safe.