Australia isn’t banning Roblox yet, but future updates to its social media law could change that for under-16s as the government reviews more platforms.

But behind Roblox’s social facade lies a sinister, all-consuming world of predators, harmful content and addictive game mechanics. Yet, controversially, Australia’s under-16 social media ban will not apply to the platform – which has 90 million users ...

The private online space was made accessible to five-year-old gamers in a ‘mislabelling’ error — but it was not the only one.

Until recently, I had no real view on Roblox.I’ve never used it, but had a vague understanding that it’s a kids-focused platform based around game building. That would not be unusual. Awareness among Australian adults is divided by whether they are parents or not.

Roblox’s new facial age-verification system, initially viewed as a risk to engagement, may instead bolster the platform’s reputation for safety and privacy, according to Morgan Stanley.