Gaming Platforms Under Scrutiny for Safety
On April 21, 2026, the eSafety Commissioner issued legally enforceable transparency notices to major gaming platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam. These notices demand details about measures to prevent grooming and radicalisation.
Companies must report on their methods to identify, prevent, and respond to online harms such as cyberbullying and online hate. These actions should align with the Australian Government’s Basic Online Safety Expectations.
Julie Inman Grant, the eSafety Commissioner, noted that online gaming environments often serve as initial contact points for offenders targeting children for grooming or spreading extremist narratives. She explained, “What we often see after these offenders make contact with children in online game environments, they then move children to private messaging services.”
Platforms and Potential Risks
Research shows that around 90% of Australian children aged 8 to 17 play online games, making these platforms critical areas for potential risks. Media reports have highlighted grooming incidents and extremist-themed gameplay, such as Islamic State-inspired games on Roblox and far-right imagery in Minecraft.
Platforms like Fortnite have faced criticism for gamifying historical tragedies, including the WWII Jasenovac concentration camp and the January 6th US Capitol Building riots. Meanwhile, Steam is reportedly a hub for several extreme-right communities.
The transparency notices require gaming platforms to comply with the Online Safety Codes and Standards. Non-compliance could lead to penalties of up to $49.5 million per breach. eSafety has committed to testing the implementation of safety measures, such as those promised by Roblox, which include more stringent age verification and privacy controls.
Failure to respond to transparency notices can result in penalties of up to $825,000 per day. eSafety aims to ensure that all users, particularly children, can enjoy these platforms safely, without exposure to avoidable harms.
ESafety publishes reports based on its transparency notices to provide information to the public, including parents, about safety risks and mitigations that currently exist. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase the incentive for technology companies to adopt Safety by Design, engineering out harms before they occur.
The aim is to ensure all users, especially children, are protected from potential online dangers. These companies must take meaningful steps to prevent their services from becoming onramps to abuse, extremist violence, radicalisation, or lifelong harm.
Last updated: 22 April 2026, 12:50 pm
