Why did Indonesia ban Roblox but Australia did not? A thorough look at children’s digital safety
Source: marketing-interactive.com
Recently, the government’s policy to restrict or even block access to Roblox for children under the age of 16 has become a hot topic among parents. This move was triggered by the rampant cases of grooming (online child sexual abuse) and the spread of age-inappropriate content on the platform.
As parents, it is natural to feel concerned. However, let us examine this phenomenon from a global perspective. In Australia, despite facing the same level of cybercrime risks, Roblox continues to operate without any restrictions. Why is the approach so different?
Different Perspectives: Gaming Platform vs Social Media
There are two main reasons why the Australian government did not take extreme measures such as a total block:
Viewed as a Creative Ecosystem Platform, Not Just Social Media The Australian government and its digital regulatory agency view Roblox primarily as a gaming platform where children can learn to be creative, not just social media. Their regulatory focus is on the responsibility of game developers to create a safe environment, not on blocking access for users.
Default Private Policy for Children’s Accounts Through the Safety by Design initiative, the Australian government urges platforms to provide automatic protection. As a result, children’s accounts there are set to private mode by default. This means that the chat feature with strangers and profile visibility are closed from the moment they register.
So, what about children in Indonesia? The main control currently lies in the hands of parents. Parents must proactively activate security features manually. It’s quite easy to do: go to the Settings menu, then select Parental Controls. There, parents can activate the Parent PIN so that children cannot change the settings, as well as turn off the chat feature to close two-way communication with strangers.
Is Blocking Enough?
The answer: No. Blocking one application may provide a temporary sense of security, but it does not solve the root of the problem.
The digital world is vast. Currently, almost all online games have two-way communication features. If access to Roblox is closed, potential digital crimes such as cyberbullying or grooming can still lurk around children through other games or platforms. Closing one door will not stop ‘uninvited guests’ from looking for an open window.
The only strong defence that children can take with them wherever they surf is digital literacy. Children must be equipped with critical thinking skills when communicating online. They must understand stranger danger (the danger of strangers in the virtual world), game literacy, and mindful messaging (thinking before responding to messages).
Turning Concerns into Potential
Teaching children technical digital literacy can sometimes be confusing. The language we use is often difficult for them to understand, or even comes across as lecturing.
If parents are unsure where to start, entrusting this education to the experts is the wisest choice. At Timedoor Academy, children are not only taught to be passive consumers of games, but are guided to be productive creators. They can learn to make their own games using Roblox Studio in a 100% safe and monitored environment.
Moreover, the Timedoor Academy curriculum incorporates digital literacy material in a fun and age-appropriate way. They will learn to recognise the characteristics of cyberbullying, understand privacy boundaries, and how to protect themselves online.
In this era of artificial intelligence and rapidly advancing technology, limiting children’s exploration risks leaving them far behind their peers. Children who are not equipped with technological skills and digital literacy from an early age will miss out on many opportunities in the future.
Ensure your little ones are ready to face the challenges of the digital world with their full potential. Parents can secure their first steps by consulting for free at Timedoor Academy. The opportunity to provide protection while developing your child’s talents is right before your eyes, do not delay in making a decision.
Reading References for Parents:
- Australian eSafety Commissioner: Protecting children on gaming platforms
- Roblox Corp: Safety and Civility – Parent Guide
- UNICEF: Digital Literacy for Children and Teens
Prepare your little one for the future through exciting learning experiences. Sign up for a free trial session now!