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 eligible for 13. 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
What specific strategies are being implemented to promote diversity and inclusion within Roblox?
**Interview with Julija Markeliūnė, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Telia**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Julija. Roblox has recently introduced some new reforms aimed at improving player safety, especially for children. What prompted these changes?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Thank you for having me. The primary driver for these reforms has been the alarming rise in safety concerns associated with the platform. With over half of Roblox’s players being minors, there is an increased risk of vulnerabilities and threats, which we’ve seen manifest in disturbing stories, such as bullying, blackmail, and other psychological issues. The need for a safer environment has become more urgent, especially after a five-fold increase in Roblox-related complaints to UK children’s helplines since the pandemic.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned some disturbing incidents involving children. Can you elaborate on what some of these experiences have been?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Absolutely. For instance, we’ve heard cases of children being solicited for intimate photos in exchange for virtual currency, leading to instances of blackmail. Additionally, some children reported being threatened with exposure of private information. These traumatic experiences, unfortunately, are not isolated, and they underline the necessity for stricter safety measures on the platform.
**Interviewer:** It seems like the changes will indeed impact how children interact on Roblox. What specific reforms have been introduced to address these issues?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Starting November 18, Roblox will restrict underage players from using “social spaces,” which have allowed unrestricted communication and, unfortunately, posed risks from abusers. Furthermore, from December 3, game developers will have to label their creations as appropriate for players aged 13 and over; if they fail to do so, the games will be blocked for younger users. Lastly, features allowing users to create and share unmoderated 2D content will be removed. These changes are intended to mitigate risks and prioritize child safety.
**Interviewer:** It’s clear these reforms are meant to protect children, but do you think they might upset young players who enjoy those features?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** It is likely they will be disappointed, as these changes will limit certain experiences on the platform. However, we must prioritize the safety and well-being of our children over their momentary enjoyment. Balancing safety with fun is a challenging task, but necessary. Parents should be reassured that these measures are being put in place with their children’s best interests at heart.
**Interviewer:** How should parents stay informed and ensure their children are safe while using platforms like Roblox?
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Education and open communication are key. Parents should discuss online safety with their children and monitor their activity on platforms like Roblox. Staying updated with the latest changes and understanding the platform’s features can equip them to guide their children better. Moreover, being aware of potential risks and encouraging children to report any inappropriate interactions is essential.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Julija. It sounds like Roblox is taking significant steps toward creating a safer environment for its younger users.
**Julija Markeliūnė:** Thank you for having me. It’s a necessary evolution for platforms popular among children, and as a community, we must work together to prioritize their safety without compromising their creativity and fun.
