The UK government is considering restrictions that could stop children from talking to strangers on gaming platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Discord, and Minecraft.
According to The Sunday Times, online safety minister Kanishka Narayan said gaming platforms could be included in any action taken to restrict teenagers’ access to social media or harmful online features.
The comments come after the UK government’s “Growing up in the online world” consultation, which looked at potential age restrictions for social media, gaming sites, AI chatbots, addictive design features, and stronger age verification rules. The consultation ran from March 2 to May 26, 2026.
The government is weighing whether to introduce an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s or target specific features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, location sharing, and personalized recommendation algorithms.
UK considering restrictions on “stranger pairing” in games
Narayan said one of the biggest concerns raised during a recent trip to Australia was “stranger pairing,” referring to adults being able to contact children they do not know through online platforms.
The minister said this issue came up “mostly in the context of gaming platforms” and added: “So that will weigh quite significantly in my mind as we think about how we stop some of the most egregious harms for young people.”
Platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Discord, and Minecraft all include social or chat features that can allow players to interact with others online. Some of these tools can already be limited through parental controls or age verification, but officials are considering whether further restrictions are needed.
Adding gaming platforms to the list would go further than Australia’s under-16 social media ban, which focuses on services considered harmful to children’s mental health, wellbeing, and safety.
The idea is already facing debate. Supporters argue that gaming platforms can expose children to grooming and other safety risks, while critics say games are not the same as algorithm-driven social media and can support creativity, problem-solving, and friendships.
Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza also backed stronger action, saying many boys are not primarily using social media but are instead spending hours gaming.
“Boys often aren’t on social media,” she told Sky News. “They’re often spending three or four hours a day gaming. And those games often have features that allow a 55-year-old in Arizona to come in and speak to a nine-year-old.”
De Souza added: “I wouldn’t be calling it a ban of children, I’d be calling it a ban and restriction on services that are not suitable for under-eighteens.”
The government has not yet confirmed what restrictions will be introduced. Its formal response to the consultation is expected after officials review the submitted feedback.
