Roblox, online gaming platforms probe sought in Senate

A SENATOR on Monday filed a resolution seeking to investigate Roblox and other online gaming platforms amid reports of games being utilized for planning acts of violence.

Under Senate Resolution No. 357, Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, sought to conduct an inquiry on online multiplayer games such as Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Free Fire, and others with similar gaming environments.

Ms. Hontiveros suggested imposing mandatory age verification measures in online games to protect children from exposure to violence, sexual abuse, and grooming in cyber space.

“These developments demonstrate that stronger age verification and child safety technologies are technically feasible, scalable, and increasingly recognized as part of the emerging global standard for online child protection,” the resolution read, citing Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands’ age verification measures for platforms used by minors.

Ms. Hontiveros pointed out that the country’s age verification mechanisms have been limited to self-declaration of age, putting minors at the risks of online predators, impersonation, and harmful content.

The resolution came amid reports of minors plotting a school attack in the Calabarzon region after exposure to violent content.

The Philippine National Police on Sunday also directed its Anti-Cybercrime Group to strengthen its campaign to promote child safety in online spaces after Information and Communications Technology Chief Henry R. Aguda flagged Roblox for allegedly allowing illegal activities in the gaming platform. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel