Roblox and Child Safety: What Parents Need to Know

Roblox is one of the most popular online platforms for children, with millions of active users creating, sharing, and playing games. As of Q2 2024, the platform had over 79.5 million daily active users worldwide. Notably, in Q3 2024, more than 34 million of these daily users were children under the age of 13, highlighting Roblox's appeal to younger audiences.

While it can provide endless hours of creativity and fun, it also raises questions about safety. As a parent, you might wonder: is Roblox safe for my child?

What Is Roblox?

Roblox is an online gaming platform and game creation system where users can design their own games and play games created by others. Roblox has over 40 million games and experiences and 2.5 million developers.

The platform is a hub for creativity, with users building virtual worlds using the Roblox Studio tool. These worlds range from simple obstacle courses to complex simulations, and many of them are multiplayer, allowing users to interact with others in real time.

Roblox also offers features like customizable avatars, in-game purchases using its virtual currency, Robux, and social networking capabilities, allowing players to chat and connect with others.

Players can access Roblox on smartphones, PCs, Xbox, and Mac devices. They can also invite others to join their gaming experiences, similar to how Minecraft operates, making it a versatile and engaging platform for users of all ages.

Age Limits on Roblox

Roblox is officially rated 7+ by PEGI (Pan European Game Information) and 10+ on the Apple App Store. However, it's ultimately up to parents to decide whether their child is ready for the platform. While Roblox features games designed for younger children, it also contains content that may be inappropriate or unsafe, particularly in user-generated games or during social interactions.

Roblox Content Categories:

All ages: Suitable for everyone. Games in this category are considered "safe" for kids, featuring only mild violence or small amounts of unrealistic blood.
9+: Suitable for ages nine and older. These games may include more mild violence or heavy amounts of unrealistic blood.
13+: Suitable for ages 13 and older. Games in this category often include more serious violence and small amounts of realistic blood.
17+: Suitable for players over 17. Content may feature strong violence, heavy realistic blood, strong language, and moderate crude humor.

Is Roblox safe for children?

Parents should be aware of several risks associated with Roblox:

1. Inappropriate Content. Despite Roblox's moderation efforts, some games or user interactions may include inappropriate language, themes, or behavior. Children might encounter games that are not age-appropriate, such as those containing simulated violence, or engage with players who don't have their best interests in mind.

2. Online Predators. The platform's social features, including chat and friend requests, can expose children to strangers. Predators may use these tools to contact children, posing as friends or fellow gamers to exploit their trust.

3. In-Game Purchases. Roblox's economy relies on Robux, a virtual currency that players purchase with real money. Children may not fully grasp the value of money, leading to unplanned or excessive spending.

4. Cyberbullying. Like any online platform, Roblox is not immune to cyberbullying. Children may face rude or aggressive players, which can impact their enjoyment and emotional well-being.

5. Phishing Scams Scammers often target children through fake links or messages, tricking them into sharing account details. These phishing scams can result in account theft or the loss of Robux. Fraudsters may also promise free Robux in exchange for personal information or actions, exploiting children's interest in earning the currency.

6. Account Takeovers and Hacking. A community of individuals known as "beamers" specializes in gaining unauthorized access to accounts. These hackers steal valuable virtual items and resell them on illicit marketplaces for real money or cryptocurrency.

7. Malware and Viruses Scams targeting children have included malicious websites promising free Robux. These sites may ask children to download apps containing malware or share personal information, allowing criminals to compromise their accounts or devices.

How to Protect Children on Roblox

Here are steps you can take to help ensure your child's safety on Roblox:

1. Set Up Parental Controls. Use Roblox's parental controls to limit what your child can access. Enable the "Account Restrictions" feature to ensure games and interactions are age-appropriate. Additionally, take advantage of Bitdefender Parental Control to monitor and manage your child's online activity on Roblox. This tool allows you to track how much time they spend on the platform, block inappropriate interactions, and create a safer digital environment for your child.

2. Set Time Limits for Gaming Roblox's engaging design can make it easy for children to spend excessive time online.

How to set time limits:

o Create a family media plan with clear rules about gaming.

o Encourage regular screen breaks and reward time spent on offline activities.

o Use Bitdefender Parental Control to manage internet time more effectively. This tool allows you to:

· Set healthy boundaries by limiting the amount of time your child can spend on specific devices.

· Customize daily routines like Focus Time, Family Time, and Bedtime to ensure their internet usage aligns with your family's schedule.

3. Protect Your Child's Account with a Strong Password and 2FA to secure your child's account against hacks.

How to do it:

· Change the password. Go to Account Settings > Account Info > Change Password. Use a unique combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.

· Enable 2FA. Choose between an authenticator app, email, or security key. Follow Roblox's guide for setup.

4. Set up a Parent PIN. This adds an extra layer of security to protect their account.

How to do it:

· Log in to your account. If you've forgotten your password, follow Roblox's steps to recover it.

· Go to Account Settings. On a browser, select the gear icon at the top-right corner. On mobile apps, use the three-dots menu.

· Create your PIN. Under the Parental Controls tab, toggle the PIN feature on and set your PIN.

5. Use "Allowed Experiences" feature. Parents can set up Allowed Experiences in Roblox to manage the type of content their children can access, blocking chat and other features based on age.

How to do it:

· Open Roblox settings. Log in and navigate to the Settings menu (you may need your PIN).

· Edit Allowed Experiences. Under Parental Controls, select Allowed Experiences and adjust the content level.

6. Check What Your Kids Are Doing on Roblox. Roblox filters chat for children under 13, but older users have access to less restricted communication.

How to do it:

· View game history. Log in to the account to review Friends, Followers, purchases, and games played.

· Block problematic users. If you find someone bullying or spamming your child, use Roblox's block feature.

7. Teach Kids Not to Share Personal Information Educate your child about the risks of sharing personal details online. Fraudsters often use private chats to trick children into revealing sensitive information.

How to protect personal information:

· Set up accounts yourself to ensure privacy settings are secure.

· Connect Roblox accounts to your email to receive notifications about activity.

· Limit contact settings. Select "Friends" or "No one" for who can send messages or friend requests.

8. Monitor the Voice Chat Feature Roblox's spatial voice chat allows real-time conversations during gameplay. This can expose children to inappropriate language or risky interactions.

How to do it:

o Review voice chat settings. Limit or disable who can chat with your child.

o Insist on communal gaming areas. Keep the console or device in a shared space.

o Restrict headphones. Without headphones, you can hear any concerning conversations.

9. Teach Kids to Report Inappropriate Behavior. Prepare your child to handle abuse or inappropriate messages by showing them how to use Roblox's reporting tools.

How to report abuse:

o Use the "Report Abuse" link under each game's description or in the three-dots menu.

· Report individual players for abusive language via their gamer tags.

10. Play with Your Kids to Understand the Platform. Playing Roblox with your child helps you learn the platform's risks and build trust.

How to get involved:

· Create your own account to explore the game.

· Watch your child play and show interest in their activities.

FAQs

What age is Roblox suitable for?

Roblox is officially rated 7+ by PEGI and 10+ on the Apple App Store. However, parents should evaluate if their child is ready for the platform, considering the content and social interactions. Parental controls can help tailor the experience to be age-appropriate.

How can I ensure my child's safety on Roblox?

Use Roblox's built-in parental controls and enable "Account Restrictions" to filter age-appropriate content. Additionally, tools like Bitdefender Parental Control can monitor your child's activity, block suspicious interactions, and manage screen time effectively.

Can I limit how much time my child spends on Roblox?

Yes, you can set time limits by creating a family media plan and using tools like Bitdefender Parental Control. These tools allow you to establish boundaries, customize daily schedules, and encourage a healthy balance between gaming and other activities.

What should I do if my child gets scammed on Roblox?

If your child has been scammed on Roblox, take the following steps immediately:

Report the scammer: Use Roblox's in-game reporting tools to flag the account involved in the scam.
Secure the account: Change your child's password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent further unauthorized access.
Contact Roblox Support: File a detailed report with Roblox's customer support, including screenshots or descriptions of the scam.
Educate your child: Teach them how to recognize scams, such as offers for free Robux or trades that seem too good to be true, to avoid similar situations in the future.

(Sources: demandsage.com, Statista)