Ex-detective warns parents of red flags with popular video game Robloxs new rule

Parents were rejoicing this week as Roblox, the popular online game marketed to children, announced that they were introducing some big changes to their controversial chat features. It was confirmed that the platform would be implementing significant updates to its safety systems and parental controls – including blocking those under 13 from messaging others online – as soon as 2025. While many have been reassured by the new rules, that have complimented the Australian government’s ban on social media for children under 16, many online safety experts are warning parents to not get too sucked into what they view as a false sense of hope. According to former detective and child safety expert, Kristi McVee, the changes to Roblox’s chat options appear to be positive on the surface, but parents need to dig a little deeper to make sure their children are completely safe while using the app. “Whilst Roblox has made what appears positive changes to protect children under the age of 13, the changes are a fake ‘security’ measure for parents and less than what Roblox can do to protect children,” Kristi told Kidspot. “My biggest beef which the surface level protective measures Roblox released, is that it puts the onus back on the parents to ensure children are safe on their game.These changes were made purely as a ‘reputation saving exercise’ after being labeled a ‘pedophile’s hellscape’ in the Hindenburg Report in October.”According to Kristi, putting the responsibility back on the parents is a major red flag relating to the new rules. “Roblox chose to make it a parent’s responsibility to keep kids safe instead of blocking and removing the millions of predatory adults who prey upon kids in the game and the millions of inappropriate games and content that our children have access to,” she insists. “They know that the game users and content are problematic, yet they have taken the easy option to make parents responsible for a game...