Child Safety
Ongoing coverage on Child Safety.
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Louisiana man charged with possessing CSAM is not a Roblox employee, but he did make Roblox games
A Louisiana man, Jamie Borne, was arrested and charged with possession of CSAM and owning a child sex doll. While initial reports suggested he was a Roblox programmer, Roblox Corp clarified that Borne was not an employee but a user who created games on the platform. Roblox has deactivated his accounts and experiences, and the incident has reignited discussions about the platform's child safety standards amidst ongoing lawsuits from state attorneys general.
Roblox Hit by Another Child Safety Scandal as Programmer Charged
Roblox is facing a new child safety scandal after a programmer for the platform was charged with possessing child pornography. This incident exacerbates existing concerns about the platform's safety measures and employee screening processes, impacting trust among parents and the gaming community. The company faces pressure to implement stricter background checks and improve transparency to protect its young user base.
New Orleans man charged with child pornography possession tells investigators he’s a Roblox programmer, adding to the long line of awful controversies for the platform
A New Orleans man, Jamie Borne, was arrested and charged with child pornography possession, claiming to be a Roblox programmer. Roblox Corporation has denied he ever worked for the company. This incident adds to ongoing controversies and lawsuits against Roblox, including one from Louisiana alleging the platform enables child predators.
Pinterest CEO says teens under 16 should be banned from social media (but not Pinterest)
Pinterest CEO Bill Ready advocates for a global ban on social media for individuals under 16, arguing it is unsafe for this age group. He believes Pinterest, which already has restrictions for younger users and identifies as a visual search platform, should be exempt from such bans.
Mark Zuckerberg downplays Meta's own research in New Mexico child safety trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg downplayed the significance of internal research findings during his testimony in a New Mexico child safety trial. He was questioned about studies on social media addiction and the effects of platforms like Facebook and Instagram on teen users, often stating he was unfamiliar with the methodologies or research conclusions.
"It's a challenge" - Roblox head of parental advocacy speaks on protecting children amidst increasing safety concerns
Roblox's head of parental advocacy, Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, acknowledges the challenges in protecting children from unregulated content on the platform. She emphasizes a shared responsibility between the company and parents, stating that while Roblox is actively working on safety measures, the internet inherently presents open risks. Milovidov also highlighted ongoing lawsuits against Roblox concerning children's safety.
Roblox responds to LA County lawsuit that alleges it is "failing to protect children from predatory behavior"
Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the platform fails to protect children from predatory behavior, sexual exploitation, and grooming, prioritizing corporate profit over user safety. Roblox strongly disputes these claims, stating that safety is core to its platform and that it employs advanced safeguards and works with law enforcement to address harmful content and bad actors.
Update: LA County sues Roblox over 'business practices that endanger and exploit children'
Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging unfair and deceptive business practices that endanger and exploit children. The county claims the platform is an unsafe online environment used by predators and that Roblox has failed to implement necessary safety measures, seeking significant civil penalties. Roblox has issued a statement strongly disputing the claims and asserting their commitment to safety and advanced safeguards.
Australian government calls for action from Roblox on "untenable" child safety concerns
The Australian Government, through Communications Minister Anika Wells and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, has formally requested Roblox address serious concerns regarding child exploitation, grooming, and exposure to harmful content on its platform. Roblox has responded by detailing its safety policies and cooperation with law enforcement, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to user protection.