First of all – What is Roblox?
Roblox is a free game that allows children a wide range of creative freedom, and it can be played on almost any existing platform, including computers, consoles, mobile devices, and even VR devices. This platform contains a huge collection of various games created by its users – about 40 million as of the writing of these lines – with new ones being added every day. Although the platform itself is free, it has a currency (Robux) that can be used to purchase upgrades, equipment, or clothing for the characters being played, and these can be bought and sold for real money.
What sets Roblox apart from other games is that users can design and create their own games and share them with other players, and in fact, the platform encourages users to interact with each other and form groups (Party) through which they can communicate with one another while playing.
The dangers lurking in Roblox for children
Any child with access to a device that runs games can download Roblox themselves and play it for free, which is very appealing to young children who cannot purchase games on their own without parental consent. However, experts argue that Roblox is not the most recommended game for children, and here are the reasons why:
1. Potential for addiction
Certain games and activities in Roblox are designed to keep children in the game for as long as possible, as they are rewarded the more they play. Additionally, since children have access to countless games they can explore on Roblox, it’s hard for them to get bored of the platform, as usually happens eventually with other games.
2. Exposure to content not intended for their age
Of course, there are millions of games on Roblox intended for young children, but there are also those not meant for young ages, such as shooting and war games, horror games, or romantic games that even include sexual elements. There is an age restriction for certain games, so users under the age of 8 cannot access games unsuitable for their age, and to play them, they need parental approval via email.
However, children can easily bypass this barrier by choosing to open an account during registration where they indicate they are over 8 years old. Only users aged 13 and above need to verify their age in more advanced ways, such as with an ID card or passport.
3. Unsafe interactions with strangers
Although the goal is for children to interact with other children, there are also many adults on this platform, and it’s not uncommon to hear stories of harassment or even pedophiles contacting children through it. Currently, Roblox restricts the ability to send and receive messages for children aged 12 and under, and only children aged 13 and up can send private messages to each other. It’s also worth noting that the platform has a team monitoring conversations in the general chat, and there are filters in the chat for users under 13, such as blocking the use of numbers or sharing information that could help identify the user. The platform also does not allow sending pictures or videos in the chat or in one-on-one interactions.
How to ensure your children are safe on Roblox
The possibility of Roblox being a safe platform for your children depends to some extent on you. There are several things you can do to reduce the potential dangers and help your children enjoy the games on the platform safely:
1. Limit their time on Roblox
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 5 not spend more than an hour a day in front of screens, and for older children, it’s advised to stop screen time an hour before bedtime. Of course, any decision regarding this depends on you, and if you notice your children playing Roblox for an amount of time that seems unreasonable to you, you should limit their screen time, and here you can find 7 ways to help you do this more easily.
2. Turn off the chat option
You can disable the chat option on the platform, thereby preventing your children from starting conversations with strangers.
- Click here and log in to Roblox with your child’s user details
- Click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen and select Settings
- Choose the parental controls option – Parental Controls
- Click on the Communication option
- Select the Party option
- Choose the No one option if you don’t want your children to participate in group chats.
3. Explain the dangers of Roblox to your children
Your children don’t know the big world like you do, so talk to them about its dangers and what awaits them in the game. Explain that even if it seems harmless to talk to strangers from a distance through the platform, they should always be cautious there, as there are plenty of strangers who might want to exploit them in various ways. Instruct them, among other things, never to share personal information with others or their account details – not even with friends.
4. Teach your children to recognize dangers outside of Roblox
Malicious people lie in wait for children not only within Roblox but also on websites promising things related to the game, such as free money in Roblox. There are even YouTubers who promise prizes to viewers who send them user details in a private message, or scam messages received within the game asking to change a password, which ultimately leads to the existing password being stolen.
So, in addition to ensuring your children don’t share any personal details related to themselves or their account on the platform, make sure they don’t do so outside of it either. Explain to them that if it seems like there’s an issue with their account and they’re asked to change their password, it’s a scam, and they shouldn’t trust any such message or link – it’s not something that should just happen out of the blue. Beyond that, explain that no one gives them free gifts. If someone offers prizes for no reason in Roblox or if there’s a link promising a reward on the platform, it will come at a steep price.
5. Remove your credit card details from the game
This tip is mainly to protect your bank account. If purchases were made in the game (with your consent), it means your credit card details are now in the account your child plays on. If your child doesn’t follow the instructions we recommended you give them in the previous section, someone else could take over their account and thus your credit card for purchases within the platform. To remove your credit card details, go to this link with your child’s username and password, and click the trash can icon next to your credit card details.
6. Ensure the Roblox password is different from other platforms
This tip is also mainly to protect you and your or your children’s other accounts. In the worst-case scenario where your children didn’t follow your rules or made an innocent mistake and fell victim to a scam, you want to ensure there’s at least a safety net for your other accounts. Therefore, make sure the password your child uses to log into Roblox is completely different from the one used to log into other websites and services that you or your child use.
In conclusion
Roblox is a popular game that children of all ages play, but it may contain content or allow contact with people you wouldn’t want your children exposed to. You need to limit the time your children spend on Roblox and inform them about the safety rules related to the platform and everything connected to it. You can also protect your children and your credit card details with actions taken in the game’s settings, but the most important thing is that your children understand the dangers they’re exposed to while using Roblox and know how to stay cautious of them.
