Child Safety
Ongoing coverage on Child Safety.
Latest coverage
State lawsuits accuse OpenAI of ignoring its own safety warnings for profit: 'All these harms were foreseeable and…
Eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that the company has deceived and endangered the public, particularly children, for profit. The complaints cite research indicating ChatGPT degrades critical thinking, promotes paranoia, offers dangerous medical advice, and encourages unhealthy behaviors. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's past warnings about AI safety risks are also highlighted as evidence of recklessness.
Discord re-introduces age verification policy based on 'account signal' methodology
Discord is re-implementing its age verification policy using an "account signal" methodology and offering more verification options beyond face scans or ID submissions. The company aims for a more transparent approach after its initial attempt faced criticism for unclear communication and user concerns. This relaunch occurs amidst ongoing lawsuits alleging the platform inadequately protects children.
'The future of humanity' depends on kids playing Fortnite claims Epic Games boss
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has controversially claimed that Fortnite is crucial for the development of the next generation of humanity, in response to potential EU bans on children playing online games. The article criticizes Sweeney's comparison of games to traditional creative outlets and highlights concerns regarding microtransactions and content safety within Fortnite and Roblox.
YouTuber runs onto the stage at Roblox Developers Conference shouting 'We deserve better,' gets tackled and…
During the Roblox Developers Conference in San Jose, a YouTuber named Mathieo interrupted CEO David Baszucki's presentation, shouting slogans about child safety and better treatment for users. Mathieo was tackled and removed from the stage, later explaining his protest was against Roblox Corporation's perceived inaction on issues like AI implementation and child protection, which he believes are harming children.
US Senators Say Discord And Roblox Should Have Their Day In Court
Three US Democratic senators have urged courts to keep lawsuits against Discord and Roblox public, arguing the platforms should face legal accountability rather than hiding behind private arbitration. The senators contend that arbitration prevents victims, particularly children, from seeking justice for alleged misconduct and abuse on these platforms.
Two Hours a Day: Inside Meta’s Sweeping New Teen Limits for Instagram and Facebook
Meta has agreed to impose a daily two-hour time limit on teen accounts for Instagram and Facebook in the US as part of a child safety settlement with attorneys general nationwide. The agreement also includes new safeguards and limits on teen access during certain hours, with most protections mandated for at least 10 years. A significant portion of Meta's $17.1 billion settlement payment is contingent on TikTok and YouTube matching these new teen usage restrictions.
Roblox Bans Games That Pay Kids to Keep Scrolling in Wake of Steal an Egg Uproar
Roblox Corporation has updated its policies to ban games that reward players for continuous media feed consumption, following backlash over the popular game 'Steal an Egg.' This change aims to create a safer environment for younger users by prohibiting mechanics that combine infinite scrolling feeds with rewards. The update comes amidst ongoing investigations by the U.S. Senate and several states into allegations of child exploitation on the platform.
Meta reaches $16.7 billion settlement in social media addiction lawsuit
Meta has reached a $16.7 billion settlement with 29 states over a lawsuit concerning child safety and social media addiction on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. The company will also implement safety changes, including daily usage limits and nighttime blocks for teenage users.
Meta will pay up to $18 billion to settle states' lawsuit alleging harms to young users
Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle a lawsuit brought by states alleging the company's platforms have harmed young users. The company also called on YouTube and TikTok to implement time limits for teenage users.
Roblox applies restrictions to games featuring "reward-driven media feeds" available in Roblox Kids and Select
Roblox has implemented a new policy restricting "reward-driven media feeds" within its Kids and Select categories. This change specifically targets games that combine media feeds with mechanics like autoplay, infinite scroll, and rewards for continuous viewing, aiming to enhance child safety on the platform. The policy was reportedly enacted following issues with the game 'Steal an Egg'.
Child safety experts are skeptical of OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens
Child safety experts are expressing skepticism regarding OpenAI's new product, ChatGPT for Teens. They are calling on the company to demonstrate its trustworthiness before such products are approved.
Australia’s eSafety Finds Fresh Child Safety Holes in Roblox — Platform Signs Binding Fix Pledge
Australia's eSafety Commission has reached a legally binding agreement with Roblox following the discovery of significant child safety vulnerabilities on the platform. The undertaking requires Roblox to implement stronger protections, including making child accounts private by default and blocking unknown adults from contacting children without parental consent within three months.
Roblox argues a child waived her legal rights in wrongful death suit and irks Australian regulators
Roblox is facing scrutiny from Australian regulators regarding child safety on its platform, with concerns that adults can still contact minors. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Roblox's lawyers are arguing that an eight-year-old girl waived her legal rights in a wrongful death lawsuit by agreeing to terms of service and making in-game purchases.
Roblox vows to make changes after Australian regulator found yet more child safety lapses
Australia's safety regulator has found that Roblox continues to allow adults to contact children, despite years of promises to prevent such interactions. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has identified ongoing child safety lapses within the platform.
Roblox being investigated by U.S. Senate after reporting 65,381 instances of suspected child abuse in 2025
The United States Senate has launched an investigation into Roblox, citing serious concerns over child safety and exploitation on the platform. Senator Josh Hawley addressed Roblox CEO David Baszucki, highlighting thousands of reported instances of suspected child sexual exploitation in 2025 and accusing the company of prioritizing revenue over user well-being. Roblox stated its commitment to safety and looks forward to sharing facts about its protective measures.
The US Senate are investigating Roblox for prioritising "revenue and engagement metrics over the safety and well-being of our children"
The US Senate has launched an investigation into Roblox, accusing the company of prioritizing revenue and engagement metrics over child safety. Senators Josh Hawley and Richard J. Durbin have requested extensive documentation from Roblox CEO David Baszucki regarding the platform's alleged facilitation of child exploitation, grooming, and exposure to violent content. Roblox has been given until August 31st to provide the requested information, which includes details on user demographics, safety tools, and revenue streams related to potentially harmful content.
US Senate to investigate Roblox following claims it "prioritises revenue and engagement" over child safety
The US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism has launched an investigation into Roblox, citing concerns that the platform prioritizes revenue and engagement over child safety. Senators Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin have requested extensive documentation from Roblox CEO David Baszucki regarding child exploitation, abuse, and financial harm on the platform, with a deadline of August 31, 2026. This investigation follows similar concerns raised by several US states and the Australian government, despite Roblox's recent implementation of new safety measures.
US Senate launches investigation into Roblox: 'Children on your platform are hurting. Congress will not look the…
The US Senate Judiciary Committee has launched an investigation into child safety on the Roblox platform, citing concerns that the company prioritizes revenue over user well-being. Senators Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin sent a letter to CEO David Baszucki detailing allegations of grooming, sexual abuse, and exploitation occurring on the platform. Roblox maintains its commitment to safety and points to improved reporting systems as evidence of its efforts.
Roblox Is Now The Target Of A Congressional Investigation: “Children Are Hurting”
US Senators Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin have launched a congressional investigation into Roblox Corporation concerning child safety. The investigation stems from allegations that the platform prioritizes revenue over user well-being, leading to issues like child grooming, sexual abuse, and exploitation. Roblox Corporation has been instructed to preserve records and provide documents by August 31, with CEO David Baszucki expected to detail the platform's safety measures.
Investors hate Roblox’ new direction – but a reversal may be impossible | Opinion
Roblox's stock has significantly declined as investors question its shift away from aggressive growth strategies towards more sustainable practices, a move more suited for a mature company. This transition is partly driven by increasing global regulatory scrutiny, particularly concerning child safety and online platform responsibilities, forcing Roblox to adapt despite the impact on its growth-oriented valuation. The company is likely to be valued as a games company rather than a tech firm in the future.
