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Is Roblox an ‘X-rated paedophile hellscape’?

Nov 10, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Sarah Martin, a Senior Correspondent for Guardian Australia, shares her chilling experience of investigating Roblox by posing as an eight-year-old. She uncovers disturbing interactions and highlights the platform's appeal to children despite safety concerns. The conversation addresses the upcoming social media ban and why Roblox was excluded, raising questions about real-world risks like grooming. They also explore the potential unintended consequences of the ban and the complexities of ensuring child safety online.
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ANECDOTE

Week Posing As An Eight-Year-Old

  • Sarah Martin spent a week inside Roblox posing as an eight-year-old to explore the platform firsthand.
  • She found it vast, unregulated, and full of user-generated experiences that a child could easily access.
ANECDOTE

Encountered Virtual Sexual Assault

  • Martin encountered horror games, public bathroom simulators and avatar-on-avatar sexual assault.
  • She described the virtual sexual assault as frightening and potentially harmful to real children.
INSIGHT

Huge Reach, Child-Friendly Face

  • Roblox has ~100 million daily users and is core to many Australian children's social life.
  • Its Lego-like branding hides complex social layers and user-generated risks.
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