Name: Backbench Business Committee
Uploaded: 2026-11-03T16:15:55+00:00
Duration: 1187 s

Backbench Business Committee

3 November 2026

Contents updated on 4 Nov 2026

The Chair opens the Backbench Business Committee meeting, sets out that it will consider applications for chamber and Westminster Hall debates, and invites Mike Reader MP to present his bid for a 90‑minute Westminster Hall debate on children’s safety on online gaming platforms, highlighting grooming risks on platforms like Roblox and the need to scrutinize upcoming government restrictions. Reader outlines cross‑party support and aims to press the responsible department on scope, age assurance and off‑platform contact before regulations are finalised.

Backbench Business Committee Tue, 3 Nov 2026 House of Commons

Follow its sittings

00:04 - 00:36

Speaker 7

Order. Welcome to the meeting of the Backbench Business Committee where we'll we will be considering applications for debates in the main chamber and in Westminster Hall on a Tuesday and Thursday. First application is from Mike Reader on children's safety on online gaming platforms. This is for a debate in Westminster Hall on a Tuesday morning, 90-minute debate and over to you Mike to present your case.

00:36 - 01:36

Speaker 6

Thank you, Chair. Everyone who's got kids in the room will know the name Roblox, major platform with millions of users. Few, though, will know that online gaming is one of the main places that adults first make contact with children. The government's own research shows 40% of offenders sought to contact children online first and did so via online gaming. We've debated in this House social media restrictions considerably, but we haven't specifically related gaming, and gaming works differently.

It's voice, chat, it's in-game currency, user-generated worlds and lots of pathways to taking children into off-platform, private messaging. The government has committed to bring in new restrictions. They've already started with major platforms, but this debate would give us a chance to press DCIT on scope, age assurance and the off-platform problem before regulations and rules are written. I've got cross-party support from Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, SNP, DUP and independent members, and I'd be grateful for the committee's support.

01:36 - 01:38

Speaker 2

Thank you, Will.

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