Is Roblox Safe for Kids?
- Payton Johnson
- 16 hours ago
- 8 min read
Roblox seems to be what everyone is talking about these days. I know you've been hearing about it too. This popular app and website has been around since 2006 but today it has cemented itself as one of the most popular gaming platforms for children worldwide, with tens of millions of daily users. However, it has also raised an important question for many parents: Is Roblox safe for kids?
I was recently at a family reunion where we had no cell service. For me, it was blissful. For the kids in my family it was downright stressful. I asked my niece what she was going to do once she got back on wifi and she told me Roblox. In fact, it seemed to be what all of them were excited to get back to. I was struck by how much these children had missed what I had always thought was just a random phone and tablet game.
Boy - was I wrong. When I got back to work and brought it up to my coworkers they all had their own stories about how popular Roblox was in their own houses.
I wanted to get to the bottom of what's happening on Roblox, how it was impacting the mental health of the children who use it, and what you can do to help make your child's experience on Roblox, and the internet in general as safe as an experience as possible! Here are five key ways you can help your child stay safe and feel supported while playing Roblox.
Understand that Roblox is so much more than a game
If you are like me you're going to need a little more context about what Roblox actually is to fully understand how to keep your child safe. To boil it down simply Roblox is like a YouTube but for games. It is not just one singular game but it is a platform where you can look at a bunch of games to chose from and create even games for others to play.
Kids can play other people's games, chat with other people on the platform, and create games of their own. Roblox itself is free but the currency on it is called Robux. You may have been asked to buy a Robux gift card or 20 in the past and what this virtual money pays for is in-game purchases that make it more personalized and fun for your child.
I was shocked to see how social Roblox truly is. In my head it was a tablet game but in reality it feels like more of a social platform than anything else. It has both chat and voice chat features in almost every single game. I talked to a 12-year-old boy who said that he gets chatted with constantly, all by strangers.
It is so important to know that this is what your children are logging into every time they fire up that app. It is not just building houses or fake worlds. It does have those fun and child-like games but in order to best protect your child understanding just how big and how social Roblox is can be very helpful.
Can it be addictive?
Robux seem to make the world go around in some houses these days. Some kids are absolutely obsessed with the game to the point that Roblox gift cards are more appealing than candy. Parents tell us that chores are no longer rewarded with dollars or treats. The only thing that matters is Robux.
That obsession is not an accident. Roblox, like many apps, is built to keep kids coming back again and again. Every time your child unlocks something new, earns a reward, or makes a purchase with Robux, their brain gets a little hit of dopamine. That feel-good brain chemical makes them want to keep playing, sometimes long after you have asked them to take a break. Children and teens are especially vulnerable to this cycle because their brains are still developing.
One of our staff members shared that they have had to literally unplug the Wi-Fi router at night to get their kids to stop playing. Others have had to remove controllers or hide devices just to make sure everyone actually gets some sleep. Parents often report that without clear limits Roblox can take over family routines, leading to meltdowns, late nights, and stress at home.
The good news is that parents can step in to set the rhythm. Creating boundaries around when and where Roblox can be played gives kids the chance to rest, reset, and learn balance. It might not always be easy, but children often adjust once they realize the limits are consistent. With the right structure, Roblox can stay fun without running the whole show.
Teach Your Child How To Stay Safe
Kids may connect with friends from school, but they are just as likely to interact with complete strangers. While many interactions are harmless, children can also be exposed to bullying, scams, and even inappropriate content.
Cyberbullying is one of the biggest concerns. Many kids say they are messaged in nearly every game they play. Cyberbullying can look like name-calling, repeated teasing, exclusion from groups, or being pressured to do something your child does not want to do. In some cases, it includes hate speech. Over time, this kind of treatment can damage a child’s self-esteem, create anxiety, and even impact their willingness to socialize in real life.
Strangers pretending to be kids is another risk. Some adults deliberately pose as peers in order to build trust with children. Once a connection is made, they may ask for personal information or encourage kids to move conversations onto other apps like Snapchat or Discord. This can leave children feeling confused, unsafe, and trapped in a situation they never expected when they simply logged in to play.
Inappropriate content can also slip through. Even though Roblox has moderators and filters, kids can still be exposed to pornographic images, sexualized roleplay, or violent scenes that were not designed for their age group. These things often appear suddenly while a child is simply exploring games, making it hard for parents to anticipate or prevent without extra safeguards.
Scams are everywhere on Roblox. Children are often targeted with fake offers for free Robux or special in-game items. They may click on unsafe links, enter their login details, or agree to unfair trades, only to end up with stolen accounts or devices infected with software. Even when no money is lost, these scams can leave children feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or like they did something wrong. If they are logged into your home wifi this could cause even more cyber security concerns. Be sure your child knows what a safe link to click on is, and when they are not.
Some games create stressful, exploitative systems. Have you ever noticed your child talking about a “deadline” in Roblox or seeming stressed about a pretend job? Many games simulate workplaces where kids take on fake jobs or tasks in exchange for Robux. Sometimes they never receive the payout they were promised. Other times, the pressure of pretend bosses, fake deadlines, or competitive ranking systems can feel real to kids, causing stress and frustration that spills over into home life. To you and me the jobs are fake but to a child that stress is real, and it can really impact them.
Parents can help by preparing children for these challenges before they happen. Here are a few practical steps:
Show your child how to block and report players who are bullying, inappropriate, or unsafe. Practice this together so they know exactly what to do.
Encourage them to leave games immediately if something feels wrong, whether it is bullying, a scam, or inappropriate content.
Teach them to screenshot upsetting or suspicious messages so you can review them together and decide if further action is needed.
Talk openly about scams. Explain that “free Robux” or unbelievable offers are never real, and that trades should always be fair and between people they know.
Reassure your child that it is never their fault if they encounter bullying, scams, or inappropriate content. Blame belongs with the person causing harm, not the child.
Above all, keep the lines of communication open. If your child knows they can come to you without fear of punishment or losing Roblox completely, they are much more likely to share when something goes wrong. Staying calm and curious builds the trust they need to feel safe.
Understanding these risks is only the first step. The next step is learning how to set up Roblox’s built-in parental controls, which can limit contact with strangers, block unsafe content, and give you peace of mind while your child plays.
Setting up Parental Controls
Once you understand the risks, the next step is to put safety tools in place. Roblox has built-in parental controls that can go a long way in protecting your child while they play. These settings are not perfect, but they give you more oversight and allow you to shape the environment your child interacts with.
Here are some of the most helpful controls available on Roblox:
Account Restrictions: You can limit the kinds of games your child can access based on age.
Chat Settings: You can decide who can message or chat with your child, and you can turn chat off completely.
Voice Chat: This can be disabled entirely, which many parents recommend since voice chat is harder to moderate.
Private Servers: These allow your child to play only with approved friends.
Spending Limits: You can restrict how much Robux your child spends and link your email so you receive alerts.
Parent PIN: Set a PIN so your child cannot change settings on their own.
We know that learning a new system of settings can feel overwhelming. I loved the video this dad shared about how he keeps his own daughter safe on Roblox:
Parental controls are not a one-time fix. Kids are clever and may find ways around them by creating new accounts or adjusting settings themselves. That is why the final piece of the puzzle is not just controls, but ongoing conversations at home.
Keep the conversation going
Parental controls are helpful, but the most powerful safety tool you have is an open and ongoing conversation with your child. Roblox is not a one-time setup situation. New games are added every day, kids meet new people constantly, and the risks shift as your child grows. The only way to keep up is by making Roblox a regular topic in your home.
Ask your child what they are playing, who they are playing with, and how it makes them feel. Be curious about what they love about Roblox. Do they enjoy building? Do they like connecting with classmates? Or are they more interested in competing? When you show genuine interest, your child feels seen and is more likely to share the good and the bad with you.
If your child ever tells you about something scary, upsetting, or uncomfortable, take it seriously. Respond calmly so they do not feel afraid of losing Roblox altogether. Many kids keep quiet because they worry their parents will panic or shut the game down completely. Let your child know that they will not be punished for being honest and that you will work through problems together. This approach builds trust and makes it more likely that your child will come to you the next time something happens.
It also helps to set clear family routines around Roblox use. Some parents only allow play in shared spaces like the living room. Others set firm stop times in the evening, or unplug the Wi-Fi router when it is bedtime. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but consistency is what helps kids feel secure.
At the end of the day, Roblox is not just about games. For many kids, it is a big part of their social world. By keeping communication open, setting limits, and showing your child that you are on their side, you can help them enjoy Roblox in a way that supports both their fun and their mental health.
You are not alone in feeling like Roblox is a lot. It is so popular, and also so unknown for so many parents. Check out our new podcast episode where real-life parents sit down and talk about how they manage Roblox in their own homes!