Roblox: Australian government seeks review of PG rating after grooming reports

Communications minister Anika Wells has asked Roblox to explain how it is addressing reports that children are exposed to sexual and self-harm material and that some are approached by adults, and has asked the Classification Board to reassess the platform's PG rating. The eSafety Commissioner has written to Roblox and will test its safety commitments, saying she may take further action under the Online Safety Act.

Communications minister Anika Wells has demanded answers from Roblox about reports that children can be exposed to sexual and self-harm material and approached by adults while using the platform. She has asked the Australian Classification Board to examine whether Roblox’s PG rating remains appropriate. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has also written to Roblox and said her office will test the platform’s safety commitments, including defaults for under-16 accounts and chat restrictions. eSafety indicated it may take further action under the Online Safety Act. Known developments: - Anika Wells wrote to Roblox requesting an urgent meeting and flagged concerns about children being exposed to explicit and self-harm content and being contacted by adults. - The eSafety Commissioner has written to Roblox and said it will test promised measures such as making under-16 accounts private by default and restricting adult-to-child contact features. - Wells has asked the Australian Classification Board to reassess whether a PG rating remains appropriate for Roblox. - Media reporting from last November and police activity, including charges linked to alleged grooming on multiple platforms, were cited in the minister’s correspondence. Summary: Australian officials have formally sought explanations from Roblox and asked regulators to reassess the platform’s classification. eSafety is conducting tests of Roblox’s stated safety measures and has signalled it may take action under the Online Safety Act; a requested meeting with the company and the Classification Board review are the immediate next steps.