Amsterdam: The Dutch government will investigate potential security and child safety risks on the online gaming platform Roblox, following similar reviews of social media platforms Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, the Interior and Kingdom Relations Ministry announced.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ministry's decision comes in response to growing concerns about the digital safety of children who use these platforms.

The ministry will conduct a Children's Rights Impact Assessment, a method aimed at evaluating how digital platforms affect children's rights and well-being. Roblox, which has faced increasing scrutiny internationally, is the latest platform to be reviewed by the Dutch authorities. In the United States, authorities and parents have filed lawsuits accusing Roblox of failing to adequately protect minors from sexual abuse and online extortion.

While Roblox has introduced measures such as facial age verification and expanded parental controls, experts argue that these protections are often easy to bypass. Children can use fake ages or other people's facial scans to gain access to restricted features. A Roblox spokesperson stated that the company enforces strict rules on user behavior and content, and takes action against rule violations by issuing warnings, blocking accounts, or shutting them down completely. Users can also report abuse directly via the platform.

Outgoing State Secretary Eddie van Marum emphasized the dual nature of online platforms for children, noting the value in online learning, relaxation, and connecting, while also highlighting the risks of bullying, shocking images, unwanted contact, and health problems due to excessive screen time. Van Marum stressed the need for social media and online service providers to take responsibility for protecting children and urged for support to help children and parents use these services responsibly.