In an effort to regain its reputation, Roblox has just announced a series of reforms. Telia reveals the most important changes coming to Roblox that will probably appeal more to parents than their kids.
Roblox differs from other games in that more than half of its players are minors. For the above reason, this platform can attract people with evil intentions like a magnet. Unfortunately, in order to combat this, Roblox has had no choice but to restrict internal communication channels for its youngest players and deprive them of the ability to play some of the platform’s games. The little ones probably won’t be very happy about it, but it should protect them from possible psychological trauma,” says Julija Markeliūnė, head of diversity and inclusion at Telia.
From bullying to blackmail
Roblox isn’t any one specific game. It is a game development tool that allows users to use their imagination, share it with other community members and even earn money from it. Although the platform has helped grow a number of professional game developers and attracted as many as 80 million regular users with its openness, player safety has not been a priority for Roblox for years. As a result, stories began to multiply in various countries when children who played Roblox suddenly needed the help of a psychologist.
Elementary school children who turn to specialists complain that they receive frightening messages about their home address, school or other private information that they supposedly know. They are also exposed to hate speech – insulting epithets and threats – while playing. Unsurprisingly, UK children’s helpline organizations Childline and the NSPCC have seen an almost five-fold increase in Roblox-related complaints since the pandemic.
“According to information provided in the UK, a ten-year-old claims to have received an offer to share intimate photos of himself in exchange for virtual in-game currency. Tempted by such a deal, the child was later blackmailed into sending more private shots, threatening to make the previously sent photos public. At that time, a girl of a similar age complained that she had experienced a decision to perform indecent acts in a game simulating the work of a pizzeria, for which she was again promised to be rewarded with virtual money. Finally, children in the “Roblox” environment are traumatized by constant deceptions, when it is offered to exchange various trophies, but the promise is not fulfilled and the little one is left with nothing”, J. Markeliūnė mentions the disturbing stories.
Sadder for children, calmer for parents
Despite years of complaints about its juvenile-unfriendly policies and ineffectively moderated environment, Roblox has been slow to make the necessary decisions. And such passivity of developers did not go unpunished. Unsatisfied with the sexual content spread on the platform, the Turkish authorities made a strict decision in August this year to block access to the gaming platform in the country. It has become a cold shower for Roblox to take security more seriously.
These days, the company made a radical decision from November 18. 13 years old to remove the ability of underage players to use “social spaces” where different users could text and communicate with each other by voice. This should severely limit the ability of abusers to reach the youngest and most vulnerable people.
However, another change should upset the little ones the most. From December 3 of this year. Roblox game developers will be required to indicate whether their creation is 13-year-old-eligible. for players who have not reached If this is not done, the game will be automatically blocked for 12 years. and younger members of the community. Such a requirement is likely to cut young people off from a significant number of games they are currently playing successfully.
Freeform 2D content features will also be removed for starters in about a week. They allow you to draw or write in 2D format in the Roblox environment and share this content with other users without having to go through the moderator filter. This should protect babies from unacceptable images or symbols that could harm their psyche.
Roblox can grow your mobile account
Recently, there has been an increasing number of cases in Lithuania when children accidentally infect their parents’ phones with viruses that send malicious SMS messages while playing the popular Roblox game. Telia warns that such recklessness can lead to high costs for adults, and recovery of lost money is not possible in all cases.
“For many little ones, it’s more than just a game. They stubbornly strive for the best possible result and tend to use all possible means in this way. For this reason, it is easy to tempt them to download a modified version of the app, which supposedly will allow them to achieve a higher frame rate in the game, to use a fraudulent virtual game currency generator, or simply to purchase a game extension recommended by other players,” reveals J. Markeliūnė.
The biggest problem is that after downloading a game upgrade, young people, without thinking for a second, tend to meet all the conditions required by it. For modified Roblox apps or plug-ins, they give access to smart SMS messages and phone applications, collect the parents’ phone number and provide other identity data without going deep. This opens up a whole host of ways for fraudsters to profit.
“Viruses that have taken over a smartphone send hundreds or even thousands of messages in the background to high-rate foreign numbers. Since the latter are registered in third countries and are not included in the list of fixed fee subscriptions, a higher or lower fee is added to the user’s mobile communication account after each message, which eventually turns into a significant amount due to the large number of messages per month. “Unfortunately, the victim often learns about it only when it’s time to pay for mobile services, when it’s too late to take preventive measures,” states the Telia representative.
The only protection in this case could be nothing more than a reduction in the automatic mobile spending limit, which would prevent the bill from exceeding large amounts at the end of the month. If the predetermined monthly amount for mobile communication services is exceeded, the customer is informed about it and, if the advance is not paid, it is blocked preventively, preventing criminals from further profiting from his ignorance.
It should also be explained to the little ones that games and their plug-ins must be downloaded only from the Apple App Store or Google Play application stores, they should not click on unclear advertisements on web pages or on the same Roblox platform, and emphasize that phone numbers and other data cannot be displayed in the digital space without parental consent.
#Sadness #Kids #Worry #Parents #Roblox #Platform #Business
How have parents’ concerns influenced the recent safety reforms implemented by Roblox?
**Interview with Julija Markeliūnė, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Telia, on Roblox’s Recent Safety Reforms**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Julija. Roblox has introduced some significant changes aimed at improving user safety, especially for younger players. Can you tell us about the most important reforms being implemented?
**Julija Markeliūnė**: Of course. The most notable reforms include the restriction of internal communication channels for players under 13 years old. This means they won’t be able to engage in social spaces where they could text or voice chat with others. Additionally, Roblox is now requiring game developers to indicate whether their games are appropriate for players aged 13 and under. If a game is deemed inappropriate, it will be blocked for younger players. These changes are crucial in limiting the exposure of young users to potential online dangers.
**Interviewer**: It’s clear that these steps are in response to serious issues that have been raised regarding online safety. Could you share some of the alarming incidents involving children on the platform that have prompted these reforms?
**Julija Markeliūnė**: Absolutely. There have been numerous disturbing cases. For instance, some children have reported receiving threats after sharing personal information, while others have faced blackmail situations. A ten-year-old in the UK was reportedly coerced into sharing intimate photos in exchange for in-game currency, which led to further exploitation. Such scenarios indicate a pressing need for stronger protections, as psychological distress among young users has risen considerably.
**Interviewer**: These stories are indeed concerning. How have parents and authorities reacted to Roblox’s previous policies on user safety?
**Julija Markeliūnė**: Parents have been increasingly vocal about their concerns, particularly regarding the exposure of their children to inappropriate content and risky interactions with strangers. The rise in complaints to organizations like Childline and the NSPCC illustrates this growing apprehension. Additionally, actions taken by authorities, such as the Turkish government’s outright ban on Roblox over safety issues, highlight a significant demand for accountability and reform from the platform.
**Interviewer**: While these changes may provide increased safety for children, they might also lead to frustration among younger users who find their gameplay experience restricted. What is your perspective on this trade-off?
**Julija Markeliūnė**: It is indeed a bittersweet situation. While children may initially feel disappointed by the limitations placed on their gaming experience, these restrictions are fundamentally aimed at ensuring their safety. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more secure platform where children are protected from potential psychological harm and exploitation. We believe that parents will appreciate these changes, as they are designed with their children’s best interests in mind.
**Interviewer**: Besides the changes related to communication and game access, you mentioned concerns about viruses and security issues related to mobile devices. Can you elaborate on this?
**Julija Markeliūnė**: Certainly. As children engage with Roblox, there have been increasing incidents of them inadvertently downloading malicious software or modified versions of the app. This can lead to their phones being compromised, resulting in hidden charges from unauthorized SMS messages and potential financial repercussions for parents. We encourage parents to monitor their children’s gaming habits closely and educate them about the risks associated with downloading apps from unofficial sources.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Julija, for sharing these insights. It’s evident that while Roblox provides a creative outlet for millions of players, the responsibility to ensure safety in that environment is paramount.
**Julija Markeliūnė**: Thank you for having me. I hope these reforms will help make Roblox a safer space for children, and I encourage parents to remain vigilant and educated about online safety as well.
