If you've got kids then chances are you've heard of a game called Roblox. Or you may have been asked by your children to buy them some Robux, the virtual currency for the game.

Roblox is enjoyed by millions of people, mainly children, worldwide, offering a virtual world where kids can create their own games and share ideas amongst a community of like-minded individuals.

Although it's an immensely popular game, it doesn't mean it there aren't dangers lurking around the corner of Roblox, which is why we're going to explore the potential risks and how to protect your kids from them.

What Is Roblox?

If your kids are playing Roblox, it's likely they would have played Minecraft too. Roblox is a mix of Minecraft and Lego allowing people to play games designed by others, as well as being able to create games too.

Roblox is a free platform and you can play it on PC, smartphones, and game consoles. According to Roblox, there are 150 million active users each month, with millions of people playing at any given time.

Not only can a person play Roblox, but they can also make money by creating games and charging real money to play it. Individuals can charge for bonus features like character skins, actions, and more.

How Does Roblox Work?

Once you've created an account with Roblox, you'll be presented with a library of games that you can join. Each game will display its feedback rating along with the number of players signed up.

roblox recommended for you

If you want to find out more about a game, simply click the game's icon to reveal a description, game and player stats, and other recommended games.

roblox game description about page

The majority of games found on the Roblox platform contain real people. So, if you choose a game where you meet other people or have to work alongside people (e.g. creating food for others), you'll likely be assuming a role with another real person.

You can customize your character by unlocking in-game items like clothes and accessories, or you can buy stuff with real money through the currency Robux.

Is Roblox Safe for Kids?

There are several risks associated with Roblox that you should be aware of. Firstly, although Roblox has an age rating of 7+, the games themselves do not have age limits.

When signing up for Roblox, you are asked for your date of birth. Roblox will only offer appropriate content based on a person's age, e.g. if you are under the age of 13, the games in the library will be filtered.

If a person says they are 13+, Roblox applies no filters to any games. They do routinely search through the library and flag illegal or inappropriate content, but it's not automated.

The Problem With Robux

Roblox is a free-to-download game, but it does use an in-game currency called Robux. This must be purchased using a debit or credit card and can be bought via a smartphone.

Be careful if you spot anyone promising free Robux. Sites and apps offering free Robux tend to be a scam. If you aren't sure, remember that very little comes for free and, if it seems too good to be true, it often is.

Players can use Robux to update their character's clothing, buy in-game items, or unlock further access within games.

robux roblox in game currency

If a player purchases Robux via a smartphone, the in-app purchase will be charged to the credit card associated with the account. You can protect your child from making purchases by ensuring they cannot access the password on your iTunes or Google Play account.

Roblox Chat

Roblox contains a chat system allowing players to talk to each other, whether they are friends or people you don't know.

If your child is playing a game with other players, the chat system will allow them to talk to one another meaning anyone can talk to anyone. You can change the game settings to limit who your child can talk to, or alternatively, you can disable the chat system entirely.

How Can You Protect Your Kids on Roblox?

Before allowing your kids to sign up for Roblox, either sign up for an account on behalf of them or sit with them whilst they sign up. That way, if they're under the age of 13, you can be sure they are only accessing appropriate and filtered content.

You can explain why this is important to keeping your kids safe whilst playing Roblox and offers complete transparency from the start.

Sitting down with your child and exploring the game library is a great way to find the most suitable game for them, whilst allowing them to learn what they enjoy to play online.

It's important to help your child understand what information they share online and what others can see. Before letting them play a game, outline what constitutes personal information including emails, school information, and photos.

Using real examples can make it easier for them to understand, e.g. explaining why it wouldn't be appropriate to give their telephone number or address to a random person in the street.

Enable PIN Protection

If you want to ensure your child can't change the settings on their account, you can enable an "Account PIN" which only you should know and have access to. They won't be able to change the settings without the PIN.

roblox account pin protection

Roblox Account Restrictions

You can restrict your child's access so they can only view and play curated content and contact settings will be set to off, so they can't chat with others. This is done below the "Account PIN" section under "Account Restrictions" by setting the toggle to on.

If you don't mind your kid chatting to other people but you want to restrict who they talk to, you can change the settings via the privacy section of your account.

roblox privacy settings

Here you can customize almost every aspect of how your child contacts others, and how they contact your child. You can choose who can message them, who can chat with them, who can invite them to private servers, and more.

Teach Your Children How to Stay Safe Online

Reassuring your child and explaining to them about the internet and how to play safe online is just as important as restricting their access to Roblox.

Internet safety can help them (and you) to understand what's safe and what isn't, as well as reminding them that they can always talk to you if they find something upsetting.

Instilling a level of trust between you and your child is one of the biggest steps you can take to ensure they come to you if they don't like what they see online.

Play It Safe

Roblox is an incredibly popular game for a reason; it's enjoyable and it can be a safe environment for kids to enjoy if you know how to set it up correctly.

The platform can offer a wealth of opportunity for kids to socialize and interact with each other safely.

If you take the necessary and simple steps to protect your kids whilst playing Roblox and having an open conversation with them, they can continue to enjoy the game and even let out their creative side.