Roblox Establishes Inaugural Global Parent Council to Enhance Child Safety
Roblox has officially launched its first-ever Global Parent Council, a significant initiative aimed at improving the platform's safety and user experience for children and families. This council consists of 80 parents and caregivers hailing from 32 different countries, who will provide expert advice on safety features, policies, and strategic partnerships.
Formation and Expansion of Parental Involvement
The council was formed after Roblox opened applications last year, seeking parents with practical, real-world insights into how children engage with the platform. The response was overwhelmingly positive, prompting Roblox to also introduce the Parent Champions program. This additional initiative is designed to incorporate even more voices from the community, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives are considered in platform decisions.
Expertise and Activities of the Council Members
Members of the Global Parent Council bring a wealth of experience from various fields, including psychology, education, law enforcement, gaming, and digital well-being. They have already convened for their inaugural meeting and will now meet on a quarterly basis to share insights, raise concerns, and advocate for families in their respective regions. Additionally, monthly Q&A sessions focused on specific topics are planned to facilitate ongoing dialogue and feedback.
Importance of Parental Input in Digital Platforms
Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, Roblox's Global Head of Parental Advocacy, emphasized the platform's commitment to collaboration, stating, "The launch of the Global Parent Council demonstrates our commitment to parental partnership, where we intend to listen and learn from these individual parents and caregivers." Among the council members is Vineeta Garg, IT Head at SRDAV Public School, who highlighted the priority of safety, saying, "Child safety must always come before engagement or growth."
Parent Champions and Safety Resources
The Parent Champions program will provide regular updates on Roblox developments and offer opportunities for members to contribute to discussions on family-related topics. For parents looking to manage their children's usage, Roblox recommends its Safety Center, which allows for the setup of parental controls. These controls include options for screen-time limits, spending caps, chat restrictions, and the ability to block specific games or users, ensuring a safer and more controlled environment for young players.
