Online gaming giants told to lift safety standards

The Australian eSafety Commission has issued a stern warning to some of the world's largest gaming companies for failing to adequately safeguard children on their platforms. Commissioner Julie Inman Grant highlighted significant gaps in the behavior of providers of four major gaming platforms: Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam.

These platforms, which primarily cater to children aged 8-13, must now explain how they are meeting the government's Basic Online Safety Expectations. While some companies have implemented additional safety measures, substantial gaps remain. For instance, Roblox, the second most popular game platform among Australian children, has introduced a number of new safety features, such as accessible reporting mechanisms and private accounts by default.

However, these steps are seen as insufficient by the eSafety Commission. The watchdog has emphasized that predators, extremist groups, and sexual offenders are likely to target children on these digital platforms. In response to the findings, the commission stated it would consider formal enforcement action if companies fail to comply with the safety standards.

The eSafety Commission's push for improved online safety comes amid broader reforms to online safety legislation in Australia, including the world's first social media ban for children under 16, and the ability for users to opt out of algorithmic social media feeds. While gaming platforms are exempt from the ban for users under 16, Roblox has limited access to certain features for Australians aged 18 and over.

The report also noted varying levels of industry collaboration among the gaming companies, with some leading efforts to combat child sexual exploitation online.