eSafety Commission warns of safety gaps in major gaming platforms

The Australian eSafety Commission has released a report highlighting significant safety gaps in major online gaming platforms, warning that children remain at risk of grooming and radicalization. The investigation followed notices issued in April to Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam, requiring them to demonstrate compliance with the government’s Basic Online Safety Expectations.

Commissioner Julie Inman Grant noted that while some platforms have implemented improvements, substantial work is still required to detect and disrupt harms before children are exposed to them. For instance, Roblox has introduced measures such as private accounts by default and parental consent requirements for adult-child contact following a court-enforced undertaking.

However, concerns persist regarding age assurance, as several platforms still rely on user self-declaration. This regulatory scrutiny coincides with broader Australian government reforms, including a social media ban for children under 16 and proposed options to opt out of algorithmic feeds.