Thousands of Australians call for Woolworths to end partnership with gaming app Roblox

Thousands of Aussies have urged the supermarket giant to ditch its latest shopper offer, saying they put profit over safety of children.

Thousands of furious Australians have slammed Woolworths for partnering with a controversial multibillion-dollar gaming platform that has exposed some children to harmful content.

The supermarket giant introduced “Roblox rewards” to give customers over the age of 18 a chance to win every week a share of 100 million Robux — a virtual currency used on the app to purchase avatars and “special abilities” in the game.

Roblox is a free online gaming platform, which has around 79.5 million daily users worldwide, allows players to create their own games and play those made by others.

But unlike other mainstream social media platforms, Roblox was designed specifically for kids. More than 40 per cent of its users are preteens, while 58 per cent of its users are under 16, bringing with it unique risks and challenges.

A Woolworths promotion for controversial multibillion-dollar gaming platform Roblox, has been slammed by Australian parents. Picture: Supplied

Roblox is a free online gaming platform, which has around 79.5 million daily users worldwide. Picture: Getty Images

Since the announcement by Woolies, a change.org petition created two days ago has already garnered more than 4300 signatures, calling for the supermarket giant to end its collaboration with the “harmful” app.

Mother-of-three Johanna Hull, who started the petition, said: “I think Woolworths is undermining parents who are trying to keep their children safe online.

“Roblox has featured in so many articles by online safety experts allowing children to be sexually exploited, exposed to adult content and of course involved in online bullying.

“To me, having this promoted to my kids while we grocery shop firstly just shows incredibly poor judgment on Woolworths behalf. But secondly confirms for me that they clearly put profits above the well being of their customer base and their future customers.”

Last year, the Australian Federal Police said children as young as 12 are being targeted by extremists who are infiltrating online gaming platforms, including Roblox, with a rising number of children being investigated for radicalised ideologies.

Thousands of Australians have already signed the petition calling for the promotion by Woolworths to stop. Picture: Supplied

Chief executive officer at Safe on Social Kirra Pendergast, who has been vocal about the dangers of the gaming app, said: “We need to have a conversation about this. This is out of touch, and petitions have already begun circulating to stop it.

“Whoever provided advice on this matter might benefit from more context, especially given the foundational misunderstanding: Roblox isn’t just a game. I’d be glad to assist in getting this right.”

Actress Madeleine West has previously revealed how a “predator” pressured her for sex when they thought she was a seven-year-old child playing kids game Roblox.

Ms West wanted to see what her children were being exposed to online so she created an avatar of a child in the game.

She was lured into a chatroom and confronted with sex talk and urged to commit virtual sex acts by adults lurking in the anonymous online world.

Actor Madeleine West has previously revealed how a “predator” preyed on her while undercover on Roblox. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Bruce and Denise Morcombe had their own brush with a potential attack by a child predator on their grandson.

The Morcombes shared in March 2023 that they were driving when their six-year-old grandson Winston, who was sitting in a booster seat behind them playing Roblox on his iPad, said he was receiving messages from someone who said he knew him.

“Winston said ‘Nana, Pa, this person knows my name,’ We just looked at each other and said, ‘Oh okay,’” Ms Morcombe said.

Mr Morcombe said he became immediately suspicious and “frightened” and it “smelt like a pedophile online trying to groom Winston”.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation website has free games for children to teach them how to be safe and said to keep devices out of bedrooms and to always supervise, use privacy settings and know who children are talking to.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has also urged parents and guardians to be mindful of who their children are interacting with online.

“The AFP has observed extremists using popular online chats and other forums to recruit young people, with a recent increase in the use of gaming platforms. Some extremists have created their own platforms to disseminate propaganda, network, recruit and generate funds online,” an AFP spokesperson said.

“We cannot express enough the importance of the role that family and friends play in providing protective environments to those vulnerable to radicalisation online.

“It is important that parents and carers undertake their own research in deciding whether an online game is suitable for their child.”

Following criticism of how it protects younger users over the years, Roblox introduced new safety measures last week that will come in place next month.

Starting December 3, game creators will be asked to say whether their games are suitable for under 13 year olds – with any that fail to do so being blocked for players 12 and younger.

And from November 18, under 13s will also be barred from accessing “social hangouts”, which are online spaces where players can talk to each other by text and voice.

“We build safety features, tools and moderation capabilities into the core of all our products, and we are constantly innovating to strengthen our safety and policy systems to help keep our community safe and civil,” a Roblox spokesperson said.

“We respect the laws and regulations in countries where we operate and regularly engage on matters of safety and civility with Australian and global policymakers and safety advocates.”

Originally published as Thousands of Australians call for Woolworths to end partnership with gaming app Roblox