Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 in protecting children from harm on online gaming platforms, including Roblox; and whether she plans to undertake a review of the Act’s application to such platforms.

Gaming platforms that allow users to post or interact, such as Roblox, are in scope of the Online Safety Act. They are required to protect children from illegal and harmful content on their service, including using highly effective age assurance to prevent children encountering the most harmful types of content.

Ofcom is the regulator of the Act and has powers to take robust enforcement action. Ofcom has already used these powers, effectively enforcing against non-compliant services.

We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Act, and on 20 January, the government announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to enhance children's wellbeing and ensuring they have a healthy relationship with social media accompanied by a national conversation.