Child Safety
Ongoing coverage on Child Safety.
Latest coverage
AI Yi-Yi!
A new report highlights concerns regarding the potential risks of Google's AI search features for children. Separately, OpenAI is implementing a system to notify parents if their teenagers are removed from ChatGPT for policy violations.
Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, is investigating TikTok's child safety measures
Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, has launched an investigation into TikTok's child safety measures. The regulator will assess whether the platform is adequately protecting young users from harmful content.
Roblox has been hit with another lawsuit in Oregon over grooming allegations
Roblox Corporation is facing a new lawsuit in Oregon alleging child grooming through its in-game chat features, with the plaintiff claiming her eight-year-old daughter was targeted by an older man. This follows similar lawsuits and investigations in other states concerning child safety and the alleged failure to protect minors on the platform, despite Roblox highlighting its implemented safety features and AI moderation.
League of Legends patch 26.14 is rolling out optional parental tools to enhance "child safety"
Riot Games is implementing optional parental control tools in League of Legends, starting with patch 26.14, to enhance child safety. These features allow parents to manage social interactions, set purchase and playtime limits, and control data usage across Riot's services.
Europe takes step toward social media ban for kids
Europe is considering new regulations that could lead to a ban on social media use for children, prompted by a recent concerning report. This move indicates a growing focus on child safety within the digital space.
Roblox’s Latest Crossover Is One I Guarantee You’d Never Guess
The legendary rock band The Rolling Stones are launching a limited-time immersive event within Roblox's The Block virtual venue starting July 10. Players will work together to "save rock history" by defeating a time-traveling antagonist and experiencing classic hits and new songs. This follows previous musical artist crossovers in Roblox, amidst ongoing concerns about child safety impacting Roblox Corp's share price.
The KIDS bill moving through Congress prompts concerns about stifled speech and intrusive age verification
The Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) has passed the House of Representatives, proposing new regulations for online video games concerning child safety and communication. Opponents raise concerns about mandatory age verification, potential stifling of free speech, and the removal of a 'duty of care' provision, despite the bill's stated aim of protecting minors.
YouTube settles early test case over social media harm to children
Google has settled a lawsuit brought by a minor who alleged harm caused by social media platforms. The settlement resolves an early test case concerning the impact of social media on children.
Roblox needs to protect children, so its rollout of Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts is welcome
Roblox has launched new age-based account types, Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, globally to enhance child safety. These accounts implement stricter communication limits and improved parental controls tailored to different age groups, with features evolving as users turn 16. The move aims to create more age-appropriate experiences on the platform, despite some controversy surrounding the third-party age verification vendor.
Pope Leo calls for AI to serve humanity and not concentrate power
Pope Leo issued a 42,300-word encyclical warning about the dangers of artificial intelligence. He urged that AI should serve humanity and not lead to the concentration of power, highlighting concerns related to education, child safety, and weapons development.
I've been playing games for 40 years, writing about them for 20, and I'm here to say parts of Roblox need to…
A veteran games journalist argues that Roblox Corporation employs exploitative monetization tactics and dark patterns that prey on children's developmental vulnerabilities. The article highlights how the platform's design encourages spending through complex currency systems and deceptive practices, leading to concerns about child safety and a call for government intervention.
Only One Games Subscription Service Is Truly Kid-Friendly
Apple Arcade is presented as a safe haven for children's gaming due to its complete absence of ads and in-app purchases. The service is highlighted for its family-friendly titles, including new crossovers with the popular show Bluey, and its limited data tracking practices. This stands in contrast to platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, which have faced scrutiny for exploitative monetization and data collection practices.
Only One Games Subscription Service Is Truly Kid-Friendly
Apple Arcade is presented as a safe haven for children's gaming due to its complete absence of ads and in-app purchases. The service is highlighted for its family-friendly titles, including new crossovers with the popular show Bluey, and its limited data tracking practices. This stands in contrast to platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, which have faced scrutiny for exploitative monetization and data collection practices.
Midday Safety Dance
The US Federal Trade Commission has been urged to investigate Roblox concerning allegations of inadequate child safety measures and aggressive in-game spending practices. The BBC reported on the watchdog's potential involvement.
Canadian Gamers Are Bringing Sports Style Prediction Habits Into Competitive Gaming
Canadian gamers are increasingly applying sports betting prediction habits to esports, driven by the growth of competitive gaming and accessible mobile play. Meanwhile, the design of mobile apps, including those for casinos, now heavily incorporates game-like pacing and reward systems to maintain user engagement. Separately, Nebraska is suing Roblox, alleging systemic failures to protect children from predators and deceptive marketing practices, a lawsuit echoed by other states and highlighting concerns about child safety in online gaming platforms.
Roblox reports strong Q1 growth, revises full-year forecast due to new saftey measures
Roblox reported strong first-quarter revenue and bookings growth, with average daily active users increasing 35% year-over-year to 132 million. However, the company revised its full-year forecast downwards due to the implementation of new mandatory age checks and child safety measures. These measures, including enhanced age verification, are expected to be fully implemented by June, impacting the company's projected growth rates.
Canadian government examines Roblox’s ability to protect children from extremists and predators
Canada's public safety office has raised concerns about Roblox's ability to protect minors from extremists and predators, citing risks associated with user-generated content and potential luring to other platforms. Roblox's chief safety officer, Matt Kaufman, denies these claims and highlights upcoming safety features. The government is considering new legislation focused on online child safety, which may include gaming platforms like Roblox.
Canada federal government concerned about children's safety in Roblox
The Canadian federal government has expressed concerns regarding the use of Roblox and similar platforms by violent extremists and pedophiles to target and recruit children. A Public Safety Canada brief highlighted vulnerabilities due to the platform's user-generated content and social features, noting risks of radicalization and exploitation. Roblox Corp. stated its commitment to safety with multi-layered systems, while also facing ongoing criticism and litigation over child protection measures.
Turkey wants to ban social media for kids under 15
The Turkish parliament has passed a bill that would ban children under 15 from using social media, requiring platforms to implement age verification and parental controls. The legislation also impacts online gaming companies, with potential penalties for non-compliance. This move follows similar regulatory trends in other countries like Greece, Austria, and Australia.
Australian eSafety Commissioner issues transparency notices to major game platforms
The Australian eSafety Commissioner has issued transparency notices to major gaming platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam. These notices demand explanations on how the platforms address child grooming, radicalization, cyberbullying, and online hate, with potential fines of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance. This action follows concerns about negative impacts on children and specific incidents reported on these platforms.
