WASHINGTON (TNND) — Popular online gaming platform Roblox has introduced new parental control features aimed at improving safety for young users. Speaking to The National News Desk, Dr. Pam Wisniewski, a computer science professor at Vanderbilt University and also a mother, shared her perspective on the changes and the ongoing need for better protection for children online.
Wisniewski highlighted a major concern: “Young children are often times in the same game, interacting with adults.” She emphasized that while Roblox’s new updates — which include features like screen time limits, remote access control, and the ability for parents to manage their child’s friends list — represent progress, there is still much work to be done.
“I think anything these platforms are doing to make these safer is definitely a step in the right direction,” Wisniewski stated. However, she pointed out the broader issue of where responsibility lies, advocating for greater accountability from gaming and social media companies. “The problem is we need a more holistic approach that’s not just moving towards more parental control and less accountability of the platform,” Wisniewski explained.
Wisniewski’s remarks come as Roblox responds to recent scrutiny and criticism of its child safety measures. The platform has also added an auto-blocking feature for direct messages to users under the age of 13, but as Wisniewski noted, there is still a need for comprehensive solutions that ensure children’s safety without placing undue burden on parents.
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