Is Roblox safe for kids? What parents need to know

Roblox isn’t just popular—it’s one of the world’s leading gaming platforms, attracting 85.3 million daily users. If you have kids under 13, you likely already know all about Roblox. Kids love it because they can create, play, and socialize in a huge digital world. But as a parent, you might wonder: Is Roblox safe for kids?

Like any online platform, Roblox has both benefits and risks. With the proper safety settings and parental guidance, it can be a fun and creative space for kids. In this guide, we’ll break down what Roblox is, the potential dangers, and the steps you can take to keep your child safe while they play.

What is Roblox?

Roblox is an online platform where users can play and create games. All the games on Roblox are created by actual users, so the content and quality vary widely. Roblox social features allow players to chat, add friends, and join different groups. This interactivity is one of the biggest draws for kids. Roblox also has a virtual currency called Robux, which players use to buy in-game items, customize avatars, and access premium features like rewards, exclusive items, and the ability to trade with other users.

Launched in 2006, Roblox was originally very popular with kids 13 and under. But recently, 17 to 24-year-olds have become the fastest-growing demographic on the platform. This makes it an increasingly mixed-age platform that presents new safety considerations for younger players.

Potential Roblox risks parents should know about

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Even though Roblox has safety measures in place (community standards, parental controls, and content maturity settings), certain risks still exist:

• Inappropriate content. Since games are user-created, they may contain content that's inappropriate for younger kids, like violence, scary themes, or other mature elements. 

• Online interactions with strangers. Kids can interact with strangers through chat, messages, and friend requests. And with the increase in older players, there's a higher chance that younger kids could interact with adults.

• In-game purchases. Kids can use Robux for game passes and avatar customization, which can quickly add up.

• Online scams. "Free Robux" scams are common and target kids specifically. Some scammers also trick kids into giving away their Robux or personal information.

• Cyberbullying. Similar to any other social platform, the interactive aspects of Robox expose kids to potentially mean behavior, peer pressure, or other forms of cyberbullying. 

How parents can make Roblox safer for kids

The first step to ensure kids use Roblox safely is understanding the app and its safety features. Here’s how to do it.

Enable parental controls

The first step to making sure your kids are safe on Roblox is to set up parental controls on the platform. To do this:

• Open the Roblox app and make sure your child is signed into their account.

• Go to Settings, then click Parental Controls.

• Select Add a Parent and enter your email address.

• Check your email for a confirmation message. It will guide you through creating an account or signing into a preexisting account. You’ll have to verify your age with an ID or credit card.

• From within the app, go back to Settings, click Parental Controls, then Settings You Manage. From here, you can update the content maturity settings to be appropriate for your child. 

• From within Parental Controls, you can set spending and screen-time limits. You can also adjust chat settings under the Communication option.

An important note: Not all parental controls apply if a game your child plays is on a private server (these are player-created game spaces). But you can turn off access to private servers in Settings.

Monitor their Roblox account

You can check your child’s recently played games to see what content they're engaging with. To do this, go to the Roblox homepage in your child's account, scroll down to the bottom, and click Continue to see a list of recently played games.

Teach your kids how to recognize scams

Online scams are everywhere, and Roblox is no exception. As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest Roblox scams is offers for free Robux, which usually happens off the platform. Any offer that promises free Robux without requiring a purchase is a scam because Roblox does not give free Robux.

You can also show your kids how to report suspicious users (click the Report flag from the Roblox menu). As with anything related to online safety, it’s critical to instruct kids to never share their passwords or personal information with any other user. 

Encourage open communication

Open and honest conversations with your child about the potential dangers of Roblox can be a powerful step in keeping them safe. Ask about their favorite games, who they enjoy playing with, and why. You might even want to watch while they're using the app so you can see more about how it works. Encourage kids to come to you if something on the platform makes them uncomfortable.

So, is Roblox really safe for kids?

With the proper safeguards and ongoing discussions with your child, Roblox can be a relatively safe and fun place for kids. When used appropriately, platforms like Roblox can also offer:

• Creative exploration

• Social skill development

• Problem-solving and critical thinking 

• Introduction to coding

• Digital literacy skills

But remember, these benefits only hold true if the platform is used safely. Set up a solid Roblox safety plan and check in frequently to help ensure your child is exploring, creating, and connecting securely.

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