Roblox Seeks Exemption from Social Media Ban; Experts Warn of Safety Risks

Reported by ABC News on October 14, 2025, although Roblox claims it is a gaming platform and should be excluded from Australia’s upcoming social media ban for users under 16, experts warn of serious safety risks for young users.

Since 2022, Roblox has doubled its user base, now reaching around 111 million daily active users, with approximately 40% under the age of 13. However, the platform is rife with disturbing content, including extremist propaganda, child sexual abuse material, terrorism, pornography, and self-harm. For example, 16-year-old Australian Ollie reported encountering adults pretending to be children on Roblox, attempting to lure him to external platforms for private communication.

The Australian government plans to implement a ban on social media use for those under 16 in December. It has not yet decided whether Roblox will be included. While Roblox argues for exemption, experts note that its social features and content-sharing mechanisms pose potential risks and recommend that the government consider including Roblox and similar gaming platforms to better protect minors.