Online Safety
Ongoing coverage on Online Safety.
Latest coverage
Voice Chat Safety: The Practical Guide for Online Gamers (2026) | TAG
This guide provides practical advice for online gamers on managing voice chat safety in 2026, addressing the uneven implementation of AI monitoring across various games. It details different voice chat configurations like 'Voice Off,' 'Party-Only Voice,' 'Push-to-Talk,' and 'Open Mic, Active Muting,' and offers specific settings for popular titles such as Call of Duty, Valorant, and Fortnite. The article also discusses the privacy implications of voice chat and recommends using platforms like Discord as a safer alternative for communication.
Roblox Safety Score: An Honest Assessment for Adult Gamers (2026) | TAG
Roblox, a user-generated content platform with over 111 million daily active users, is undergoing intense scrutiny regarding its safety infrastructure. Despite significant investments in moderation and safety initiatives, the platform faces legal challenges in multiple states for allegedly failing to protect children from predators. The article assesses Roblox's safety score, highlighting the tension between its robust safety measures and documented failures, particularly concerning the interaction between adults and minors on the platform.
OpenAI endorses the Kids Online Safety Act
OpenAI has publicly endorsed the Kids Online Safety Act, a bill aimed at enhancing online safety for children. The legislation appears to be gaining significant momentum.
Minecraft Safety Score: Java vs Bedrock Edition (2026) | TAG
This analysis compares the safety features of Minecraft's Java and Bedrock Editions, assigning Bedrock a score of 70/100 and Java 58/100. Bedrock benefits from Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem safety infrastructure, offering robust parental controls and centralized moderation, while Java's safety is highly dependent on individual server operators. Both editions would benefit from greater transparency in moderation data.
Stop Killing Games says age verification laws make game preservation ‘harder or even impossible’
The Stop Killing Games movement argues that age verification laws will make game preservation more difficult or impossible, particularly for fan-run servers. They contend that these laws create new gatekeepers and collect sensitive data without addressing root causes of online harm. Separately, the Entertainment Software Association opposes a California bill requiring advance notice for online game service closures, stating it could hinder new game development.
Saturday Safety Dance
Parents share effective and ineffective strategies for ensuring children's safety while playing Roblox. The article compiles advice on managing online interactions and potential risks within the popular gaming platform.
Mozilla, Stop Killing Games and more team up to tell the UK to stop making the internet worse
Mozilla, Stop Killing Games, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation are among 19 organizations urging the UK government to reconsider its approach to internet regulation. They argue that recent legislation, like the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act, undermines the open internet and employs overly restrictive measures rather than focusing on user safety by default. The groups express concern that intrusive age verification processes could become mandatory for all users.
Morning Metaverse
Privacy groups in the UK are warning that proposed age-gating plans for online safety could disrupt internet functionality. Separately, Old School RuneScape's in-game currency has shown better performance than a major cryptocurrency.
Stop Killing Games, Mozilla, EFF and others release statement urging UK policymakers to keep the web open
Mozilla, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Stop Killing Games, along with other organizations, have released a joint statement urging UK policymakers to address the root causes of online harm rather than implementing broad internet restrictions. The groups argue that measures like mandatory age verification and access bans could undermine the open web, infringe on human rights, and negatively impact game preservation.
'I did catch my son using an eyebrow pencil to draw a moustache on his face, and it verified him as 15 years old': New report details the effects of the Online Safety Act thus far
A new report from Internet Matters indicates that children are finding creative ways to bypass the UK's Online Safety Act age verification measures, with some using makeup to appear older. Despite these bypasses, a majority of children desire improved blocking and reporting systems. The report also highlights parental support for a potential ban on social media for under-16s, similar to Australia's recent legislation.
"We want to ensure gamers are part of those conversations": Stop Killing Games launch player advocacy group to lobby the UK government
The Stop Killing Games campaign has launched a new UK advocacy group called Gamers' Voice to lobby the UK government on issues such as game preservation, live-service shutdowns, and online safety. The organization aims to ensure that gamers' perspectives are included in policy discussions affecting digital ownership and access to games. Gamers' Voice has already begun engaging with parliamentarians and aims to represent player interests in the UK.
Evening Safety Dance
A report from The Register highlights how children can circumvent online age verification systems using simple methods like drawing on a mustache. This raises concerns about online safety and the effectiveness of current age-checking measures.
A Utah age verification law targeting VPN users goes into effect this week
Utah's Senate Bill 73, an online age verification law targeting VPN users, goes into effect on May 6. This legislation makes Utah the first US state with such specific laws, requiring websites with content harmful to minors to verify user ages, even if users attempt to bypass it using a VPN.
The EU thinks Meta isn't doing enough to protect children
The European Union has launched a preliminary investigation into Meta, finding the company is not doing enough to protect children on its platforms. The investigation specifically targets Instagram and Facebook, suggesting Meta is failing to adequately prevent minors from accessing these services.
Build A Rocket Boy facing legal action, Behaviour Interactive cuts jobs, and Xbox has a new 'north star' - Patch Notes #49
This week's gaming news includes Behaviour Interactive confirming job cuts, Microsoft lowering Xbox Game Pass prices, and Nintendo facing lawsuits over tariffs. Build A Rocket Boy is also facing legal action for alleged privacy violations, while the Super Mario Galaxy Movie has surpassed $747 million at the global box office. Xbox is reportedly rethinking its exclusivity strategy and focusing on daily active players.
Meta will show parents the topics of their teens' AI conversations
Meta is introducing a new feature that will allow parents to see the topics their teenagers have discussed with Meta AI over the past seven days across Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and safety for younger users on the platform, providing parents with insights into conversations related to school, entertainment, lifestyle, and health. The company is also enhancing its AI Wellbeing Expert Council with new members specializing in responsible AI.
Australian Government Demands to Know What Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam are Doing to Prevent Grooming, Radicalisation
The Australian government has formally requested information from major gaming platforms including Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam regarding their strategies to combat grooming and radicalization. These companies are now required to provide mandatory responses detailing their safety measures.
Epic Games Reveals Staggering 778K Fortnite Moderation Actions in Six Months
Epic Games reported over 778,000 moderation actions on Fortnite in a six-month period, with cyber harassment and hate speech being the most common violations. The company detailed its use of AI and human review for various issues, including suicide-related interventions and predator actions against minors. This transparency highlights the significant challenges and resources required for maintaining online safety in large gaming communities.
Steam, Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite risk "becoming onramps to abuse, extremist violence, radicalisation or lifelong harm", claim Australian government
The Australian government has issued transparency notices to Valve, Epic Games, Microsoft, and Roblox Corporation, demanding action to prevent their platforms from becoming conduits for abuse, extremist violence, and radicalization. eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant highlighted concerns about grooming and the embedding of violent narratives, citing specific examples on Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam.
Australia targets Steam, Roblox and others in new legal push against extremists and predators
Australia's eSafety agency has issued legal notices to Valve (Steam), Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite, demanding explanations on their measures against sexual predators and extremists. The platforms are legally required to detail their strategies for combating child grooming and the spread of violent propaganda. Failure to comply could result in substantial fines under Australia's Online Safety Act.
