Children in the UK could soon face new limits on voice chat in online games, including Fortnite and Roblox, if the government decides to extend its Online Safety Act. The proposed move would stop younger players from using in-game voice features to talk to strangers, adding another layer to the country’s wider push for tougher online safety rules.
UK looks at expanding online safety rules
The idea is being discussed as part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce the risks children face online. Officials have already pushed age checks on some services, including Discord, and now they are considering whether in-game voice chat should be covered as well.
If adopted, the change would target a specific problem: children talking to people they do not know inside multiplayer games. The goal is to make it harder for strangers to contact younger players through built-in chat tools.
Fortnite and Roblox are among the games mentioned
The proposed restriction has been linked to games such as Fortnite and Roblox, which both support voice communication in online play. The concern is not the games themselves, but the way social features can be used by adults to reach children.
Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan has said he would consider the restrictions as part of a wider social media clampdown aimed at keeping teenagers away from harmful platforms.
- Possible ban on children using in-game voice chat to speak with strangers
- Would apply in the UK only
- Could be added to the existing Online Safety Act
- No implementation details have been announced
Support from children’s commissioner
The proposal has also received backing from England’s Children’s Commissioner, Rachel de Souza. She argued that many boys spend more time gaming than using social media, and that some games allow adults to contact much younger players.
Her comments underline the government’s focus on gaming as a communication channel, not just social networks.
No details yet on how it would work
There is still no clear word on how the rule would be enforced or what penalties companies might face for ignoring it. The Online Safety Act already gives the government a legal framework to build on, so new legislation would not necessarily be required.
For now, the discussion is still at the policy stage, but the UK appears to be seriously exploring whether voice chat in games like Fortnite should be off-limits for children.
Source
Source: PCGamesN