Safety campaigners urge Ofcom over Roblox 'paedophile hellscape' fears

Child safety campaigners in Britain today urged Ofcom to act after a bombshell report branded online game platform Roblox an 'X-rated paedophile hellscape'.

The popular game in which young players create or play in virtual universes has been accused of exposing children to 'grooming, pornography and violent content'.

US investment firm Hindenburg Research issued damning findings after a lengthy investigation into the controversial platform which has no set age restrictions.

Now, campaigners say the report shows UK communications watchdog Ofcom must make a 'step change' as it implements then enforces the Online Safety Act (OSA).

The new law is due to start coming fully into force next year, and will place new duties on social media sites for the first time. The largest and most popular, as well as those which count children among their users, are set to face the strictest rules.

Platforms must put in place and enforce safety measures to ensure that users, and in particular young people, do not encounter illegal or harmful content - and if they do that it is quickly removed, with those who break the rules facing large fines.

Among the campaign groups urging Ofcom to act is the Molly Rose Foundation - established by the parents of 14-year-old Molly Russell from Harrow, North West London, who took her own life in 2017 after viewing harmful online content.

Roblox rejected the allegations by Hindenburg, insisting safety was 'foundational' to the company. And Hindenburg has also stated that it is trying to profit from a fall in Roblox's value by taking out a 'short' position on the company's share price.




Popular gaming platform Roblox has 'digital strip clubs', according to the Hindenburg study





Gaming platform Roblox has become successful with children and has 80million daily users





Roblox was accused of exposing children to 'grooming, pornography and bokep chindo violent content'





Among the campaign groups urging Ofcom to act is the Molly Rose Foundation - established by the parents of 14-year-old Molly Russell from Harrow, North West London, who died in 2017

Addressing the report's findings, the Molly Rose Foundation's chief executive Andy Burrows told MailOnline today: 'Parents will be understandably shocked that a platform aimed at younger people can be so reckless with the mental health and safety of child users.