Miller open to covering gaming platforms in Bill C-34

OTTAWA – Identity Minister Marc Miller says he would “absolutely consider” extending the federal digital safety bill to gaming platforms such as Roblox, while ruling out applying the proposed under-16 ban to them.

Miller made the comments in an interview with The Globe and Mail, which reported that any changes could come through regulations or amendments studied in committee. He described gaming platforms as “a different beast” from social media, the Globe reported.

Bill C-34, introduced in June, would require social media companies to block users under 16. Companies could seek exemptions if they can show adequate protections for children. As written, the bill covers social media services, live-streaming services and adult content services built around user-shared content. Gaming is not named.

The gap has drawn criticism. Conservative heritage critic Rachael Thomas has asked why the bill leaves out platforms such as Roblox and Minecraft, which parents raise often, the Globe reported. Meta also told the newspaper it wants the bill to apply to platforms of all sizes used by children, including gaming ones.

Miller said he has met several gaming companies and told them to add safety features or face regulation, MobileSyrup reported. He acknowledged that some platforms already limit messaging and other contact with younger users.

Roblox has been a chief concern. MobileSyrup reported that about 40 per cent of its more than 85 million players are under 13, and that a Canadian documentary last year examined how predators used the game to groom children. Earlier this year, the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence gave the government a report on how bad actors use Roblox to target kids.

Experts have also pointed to Australia, where many children have reportedly moved to smaller platforms, including Roblox, that its under-16 ban does not cover.

The government says the under-16 ban is consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as we reported last week, and legal experts expect a court challenge. Details of what the bill does are in our earlier explainer.

The bill must pass second reading in the House of Commons, then go through committee and the Senate, before it can become law. Miller has not said when he would propose changes on gaming.

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Sources: The Globe and Mail; MobileSyrup.