Australia says platforms like Steam and Roblox have 'significant' child safety gaps

Australia's online safety regulator has found "significant gaps" in how popular gaming platforms protect children online. In a new report it found inconsistent approaches in how Steam, Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft implement child safety measures as research shows nine out of 10 children aged 8 to 17 in Australia have played online games. "Australian children have a right to play online without being exposed to predators, sexual extortionists, violent extremist content or other harmful material," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. Weak safety on platforms allow "predatory adults" to make contact with children before grooming them, she said, for sexual exploitation or radicalisation.