Authorities to examine whether popular gaming platform exposes minors to violence, exploitation, or privacy risks.
Dutch government to assess child safety risks on Roblox after review of TikTok,
Authorities to examine whether popular gaming platform exposes minors to violence, exploitation, or privacy risks
Dutch government to assess child safety risks on Roblox after review of TikTok, InstagramFile Photo
The Dutch government will investigate potential security and child safety risks on the online gaming platform Roblox, following similar reviews of social media platforms Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, the Interior and Kingdom Relations Ministry said on Monday, public broadcaster NOS reported.
“Online learning, relaxation, and connecting are very valuable for children, but there is also a downside: bullying, shocking images, unwanted contact, and health problems due to too much screen time,” outgoing State Secretary Eddie van Marum (BBB) said.
The ministry will conduct a Children’s Rights Impact Assessment, a method that evaluates how digital platforms affect children’s rights and well-being.
Roblox has faced increasing scrutiny internationally.
In the US, authorities and parents have filed lawsuits accusing the company of failing to adequately protect minors from sexual abuse and online extortion.
While Roblox has introduced measures such as facial age verification and expanded parental controls, experts say these protections are often easy to bypass. Children can use fake ages or other people’s facial scans to gain access to restricted features.
A Roblox spokesperson said the company enforces strict rules on user behavior and content.
“If we notice these rules being violated, we issue a warning, block an account, or shut it down completely,” the company said, adding that users can report abuse directly via the platform.
Van Marum stressed that social media and online service providers must take responsibility for protecting children. “And we must help children and parents use these services responsibly,” she added.
