MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros is calling for stricter accountability among digital gaming platforms, including Roblox, amid reports linking online influence to minors allegedly involved in acts of violence.

Hontiveros raised concerns over risks in unregulated online spaces and the need for stronger safeguards to protect children, during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

“The central issue before us today is not only the presence of harm in online spaces, but the systems that allow such harm to persist and spread,” the senator said.

She said online gaming platforms have evolved into social environments where children interact but may also be exposed to harm.

“We see how these spaces are being exploited to abuse our children. These platforms for play may be exploited for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, for grooming, for extortion, and even for the spread of violent and extremist ideas,” Hontiveros said in a mix of Filipino and English.

She cited a recent case involving seven youths in Laguna who were allegedly influenced by online games to commit acts of violence, saying the incident highlights growing risks in digital platforms.

“These instances remind us that these risks are real, immediate, and deeply concerning,” she added.

The senator also raised concerns over internet intermediaries such as Facebook, noting reports that age-verified accounts are being bought and sold, potentially allowing minors to access adult content or enabling adults to access accounts meant for younger users.

She warned that without regulation, such practices could enable “bad actors” to exploit these systems, stressing that responsibility for child safety should not rest solely on parents and children.

Hontiveros urged stronger accountability from gaming platforms and digital intermediaries, along with clearer, rights-based standards to protect children.

In response, Roblox Vice President and Global Head of Public Policy Nicky Jackson Colaco said the company is preparing a “safety-by-default” overhaul of its platform.

Colaco said Roblox will introduce a tiered system by early June, including “Roblox Kids” accounts for users aged 5 to 8 with chat disabled and limited access to vetted content, and “Roblox Select” accounts for users aged 9 to 15 with filtered, age-restricted communication features.

She added that the updates will include stronger parental controls and AI-driven moderation aimed at improving child safety and raising platform accountability standards.