What is Roblox?
Roblox is an online gaming platform and game creation tool that allows users to develop and play games made by others. Approximately 39% of its users are 13 years or younger, while the remaining 60% are over 13. Despite the broad age range of users, Roblox is specifically designed to attract and engage children.
But kids love Roblox because it’s more than just a game — it’s an entire virtual world. Using Roblox Player, children can enjoy a wide variety of games, including pizza delivery simulators and school role-playing scenarios.
For kids who want to create rather than just play, Roblox Studio is the platform’s game development tool. It allows users to build their own games from scratch, while teaching them the basics of coding and game design.
Important note
Roblox has two main components that parents should understand: Roblox Player and Roblox Studio.
- Roblox Player is the app where kids play games created by others. Think of it as the “playing” part of Roblox.
- Roblox Studio is a platform for making games. Using this tool, kids (and other users) can design their own games and bring their ideas to life.
Another big attraction is the platform’s highly social experience. Children love the option to explore virtual worlds, chat, connect with friends, and even meet new friends online. But despite its many advantages, Roblox is not without risks.
User-generated content and social features can expose children to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and questionable interactions with strangers. Parents should be aware of these challenges to help their child have a safer, more positive experience.
Is Roblox safe for kids?
The short answer: It depends.
Roblox can be safe for kids, but parents need to take an active role in making it that way. The platform includes tools like parental controls and content filters, but these alone won’t guarantee Roblox safety.
A child’s safety on Roblox depends on how involved parents are. By supervising gameplay, setting clear boundaries, and learning how the platform works, parents can help their child enjoy Roblox safely.
What is the appropriate age to play Roblox?
According to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), Roblox is rated “T” for “Teen,” which means that it’s generally suitable for ages 13 and older. This age rating reflects the wide range of user-generated content on the platform, which includes games with violence, mild suggestive themes, and interactions with strangers.
Younger children, including those as young as five, seven, or 10, can still enjoy Roblox if parents apply proper account restrictions and actively supervise. Roblox’s parental controls allow you to limit access to content based on your child’s age, which makes the platform safer for younger players.
What are the risks of Roblox for kids?
It’s important to understand some of the major risks children might encounter when they play Roblox.
Inappropriate content
Not all games on Roblox are appropriate for children. Since players create most of the content, some games may feature violent, sexual, or disturbing themes.
Games known as “condo games” are a big concern because they often include sexually explicit content or inappropriate role-playing. While Roblox has content filters, they are not perfect, and some unsuitable games can slip through the cracks.
Cyberbullying
The game’s chat feature makes communication easy, but it’s also a breeding ground for cyberbullying. Children can face verbal harassment, exclusion during in-game challenges, or teasing for how they play or design their avatars. Roblox’s filters can catch some harmful language, but bullies often find ways around them.
Interactions with strangers
The multiplayer nature of the platform allows kids to interact with millions of other Roblox players, including strangers. Online predators may send friend requests to your child and use chat features, including voice chat and messaging, to groom them. In some cases, they may try to lure your child onto other platforms like Discord or Snapchat, where it becomes much harder for you to monitor their interactions.
Financial scams
Among the many dangers of gaming online are scams. Scammers love going after the in-game currency, Robux. They trick kids by promising free Robux or special items in exchange for passwords or personal information. Once they get into a Roblox account, scammers steal virtual items like rare accessories or collectibles by sending them to their own accounts.
10 tips to make Roblox safer for kids
By actively participating and using Roblox's built-in tools, you can help minimize risks and make the game safer for your child.
1. Enable parental controls and adjust content maturity settings
Before adjusting the content maturity settings on your child’s account, ensure that parental controls are enabled. Start by creating a Roblox account with parent privileges. Link this account to your child’s account so you can manage their settings. If you’re unsure how to do this, visit Roblox’s Help center or click the hyperlinked text for step-by-step instructions.
After you set up parental controls (or if you already have a parent account), you can adjust the content maturity settings. Go to “Settings” > “Parental controls” > “Settings you manage” and select “Content maturity.” Scroll down, choose “Content restrictions,” and move the slider bar to pick a maturity level you’re comfortable with (minimal, mild, moderate, or restricted).
2. Limit who your child can talk to
You can control who your child talks to on Roblox by turning off the chat feature or limiting it to trusted friends. To do that, open your account settings, go to “Parental controls,” scroll down to “Settings you manage,” and then find the “Communication” section. You’ll see options like “Everyone,” "Friends," or "No one."
If you choose "No one," your child won’t be able to receive or send messages at all, which will keep them safer from strangers. Selecting "Friends" means they can only chat with people you’ve approved as friends on their account.
3. Use age-appropriate accounts
Always set up your child's Roblox account using their real age. Roblox has extra safety features for kids under 13, which include stricter chat filters and limits on what personal information they can share.
If your child’s account uses an older age, Roblox won’t know they need these extra safeguards, leaving them more exposed to mature content or risky interactions. Double-check your child’s account details to make sure they are accurate.
4. Block and report inappropriate players or content
To block a player, your child can click on the player’s profile or username within the game or chat and select the "Block" option. Blocking them will prevent that person from sending messages or interacting further. If your kid comes across inappropriate content — a game with mature themes or a message with offensive language — they can use the “Report” button, which is available in game menus, chats, and profiles.
Alternatively, you can block specific content on Roblox without needing your child’s consent. To block an experience, open “Settings” and go to “Parental controls.” Scroll to “Settings you manage” and choose “Content restrictions.” Next, select “Blocked experiences” and click the “+” icon. In the search bar, type the name of the experience you want to block. Once you find it, click “Block” to confirm.
5. Set spending limits
Kids can get excited about buying cool outfits, accessories, or upgrades for their avatars, but those in-game purchases can add up. To avoid surprise charges, set clear spending limits on Roblox and let your child know about them. To set a limit that fits your family’s budget, go to “Settings” > “Settings you manage” > “Spending restrictions.”
You can also prevent unintentional purchases by protecting connected payment methods. Add a password to your app store or payment account that only you know. Adding a password ensures your child can’t accidentally spend money from your credit card while playing or exploring Roblox features.
6. Monitor account activity
Roblox doesn’t offer a parental dashboard to track activities like chats, purchase records, or recently played games. But you can still keep your kids safer online by paying attention to their activity on the Roblox platform while respecting their privacy.
If you feel it’s necessary, you can log in to their account to manually check their game history, friends and followers, or purchase records. But be cautious when doing this because privacy and trust are important. Instead of relying on constant checks, focus on open communication.
7. Encourage open conversations
While monitoring your child’s activity on Roblox is important, the best way to truly improve their safety is to foster open communication. Talk regularly with your child about what they’re playing online and who they interact with.
Let your child know they can always come to you if something doesn’t feel right. Explain that it’s okay to tell you if someone makes them uncomfortable, tries to ask personal questions, or sends inappropriate messages. Reassure them that they won’t get in trouble for speaking up, no matter what.
8. Play Roblox together
Spend time playing Roblox with your child! Sitting down and exploring the platform together lets you see firsthand what kinds of games they enjoy and how they interact with others. This shared activity helps you understand the games they play, the rules they follow, and any challenges they face.
Playing alongside your child also gives you the chance to teach them safe gaming habits in real time. You can point out any risky behaviors, like chatting with strangers or clicking on suspicious links, while showing them how to report or block inappropriate players.
9. Use external parental control tools if needed
If managing Roblox’s settings on your own feels overwhelming, consider using third-party parental control apps to simplify the process. Parental control tools allow you to monitor your child’s screen time, track gaming behavior, and block inappropriate content.
These apps can alert you if your child encounters harmful language, unsafe conversations, or risky behavior. You can also control internet access at home by setting up parental controls on your Wi-Fi.
10. Teach your kids online safety
Teaching your child about online safety is one of the best ways to keep them safe on Roblox and other platforms. Start by explaining why they should never share personal information like their name, address, school, or birthday with anyone online. Cybercriminals and identity thieves can use even small details, like a person’s name, to cause harm.
Help them understand the risks of child identity theft. Scammers might try to use their information to open accounts, commit fraud, or access financial details. Let your child know it’s always better to come to you if someone asks them for personal information or sends strange links.
Also, encourage your child to practice safe browsing by using only trusted websites and apps you’ve approved. Keep the conversation positive and reassuring so they feel confident coming to you if something goes wrong.
TL;DR: So is Roblox bad for kids?
Roblox is not inherently bad for kids, but without guidance, it can expose them to risks like inappropriate content, online predators, or cyberbullying. The platform is designed to foster creativity and fun, but its open nature means kids can encounter harmful or mature material if safety measures aren’t in place.
What makes Roblox bad or good depends on how involved parents are. By setting up parental controls, teaching internet safety for teens, and staying aware of how your child uses the platform, you can turn Roblox into a safe and enriching experience. Without proper supervision, however, it can become unsafe.
And if all precautions fail, you always have the option to delete your child’s Roblox account. However, it’s always best to get your child’s consent and discuss the decision with them beforehand.
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