Are your children utterly fascinated by Roblox? Of course, since you’re here, we will be bold and assume they are. But, while you’re probably thrilled that your kids have a new passion, you might be worried about whether your kids remain safe on their new favorite platform.
If you’re concerned about the security risks, we could not agree more with you. Many digital platforms appeal to younger audiences lately. Unfortunately, each poses security risks for kids because they are always more vulnerable to cybercrime.
So if you’re in the inquiring mindset today, these are some more questions you should have in mind: Is Roblox safe for children? What is Robux anyway? What is “safe chat” on Roblox? This article will answer all those questions and many more to know how safe Roblox is for kids and how you can deal with it.
Roblox: What is it, and how does it work?
Roblox is an online digital multiplayer “imagination platform,” according to the platform’s developers. You will probably agree with their idea if you’ve seen the website.
It’s a platform where every user can play several different video games of many genres and even develop their own games.
In Roblox, the tools are there for any user to develop new games. So, new developers can focus on the game’s central idea instead of worrying about all the technical issues. And once they have something playable, they can use the same Roblox platform to share it with the community.
Making a new game is relatively straightforward in Roblox. Hence, any user can create a game using this platform after some practice. These new games allow users to have fun with their friends, showcase their talents, learn the arcane art of game development, develop a portfolio if they want to join the game industry, and even make money if the game gathers enough interest.
However, many users don’t want to bother about making new games. Instead, they want to play and chat. The chatting element is essential in Roblox because it’s a social platform as much as a gaming one. The built-in chat feature you find in every game goes a long way in making this possible.
Every game listed on Roblox has an age rating. Many games are developed with the social element in mind, so winning them involves accomplishing a goal that needs the players to communicate among themselves.
If you’ve read this far, you must have noticed that it is a content-intensive social media website like TikTok and other similar platforms, no matter how it looks on the surface. And it’s the social factor of this equation from where the risks for children stem.
Age restrictions in Roblox
Roblox is suitable for children aged ten and older, according to the Entertaining Software Rating Board (ESRB). However, the fantasy/violence element makes the appropriate age relatively high. So parents are encouraged to prevent their children from joining the platform and playing the games before they turn 10. In this regard, Roblox resembles Minecraft very much.
If your boy or girl remains a primary school student, there are some extra safety measures to adopt. For example, the sign-up process should use your email, keep your kid’s credentials in mind, have your children play under an adult’s supervision, and monitor chats.
How can Roblox make ends meet?
Roblox’s business model is a type of “freemium” thing. You can play the games, chat with friends, and have platform access for free. But some games give you the option to buy items that need money.
The platform has an internal currency featuring a token called “Robux.” So your money buys these Robux tokens, which you can then spend on anything you want.
Video games with an internal financial system of sorts are not a new thing. For example, Fifa, Genshin Impact, and Hearthstone also have their own currencies, and the more recent games deployed on blockchains always have a cryptocurrency within the game.
You should probably know this: yes, Roblox is free. But having a good time within Roblox without spending money can prove challenging. For example, your kid could find that other players encourage him to get premium features, and he will see the platform’s offers for premium items. So it would be best if you were prepared to have a serious talk with your boy or girl explaining the reality of digital currencies so that your kid learns how to enjoy the platform within a budget or, better still, without spending any money.
How expensive is Roblox?
The cost of Roblox depends on your preferences. You can enjoy Roblox for free if that’s what you want. But since there is a lot of stuff to buy within the platform, it can also be expensive. As we write this, you can buy 40 Robux for 0.49 US or 80 for 0.99. Another alternative is to subscribe the kid to the Roblox Premium program (4.99 USD monthly), giving him 450 Robux monthly as long as the subscription is active.
How much money you will spend on Robux is up to you. But if your child is there, you must be aware of the in-game economy. You should also know that the virtual things you buy on Roblox can evaporate into digital oblivion at anytime. It doesn’t happen very often, but it happens.
So you can have some tokens included in your child’s allowance or find a reasonable way to manage their financial status within the platform. It is essential to know that spending money can be part of the Robux experience, so you can be ready to deal with it.
“Safe chat” on Roblox: What is it?
There used to be a feature in Roblox known as “Safe Chat.” It allowed you to choose from a list of pre-written answers, so you didn’t have to type every answer you gave to every incoming message. The purpose was to minimize profanity and inappropriate messages in diverse multiplayer games.
Roblox’s help and support pages do not deal very profoundly with the platform’s safety features. The website says that the Roblox app filters chats and messages from players younger than 13 years old, suppressing inappropriate content and personal information. If you are older than 12, your ability to speak your mind is more expansive, and you can use words and phrases that younger users can’t.
The platform says that the filtering system covers every communication in the forum, public and private.
Roblox and Children Safety
Gaming itself involves some risks for every kid, let alone Roblox. But if your child can spend as much time as he wants on Roblox, there are these risks to consider:
- Too much time spent in front of a screen has health implications, including obesity and difficulty sleeping.
- Online chats and interactions can worsen cyberbullying and harm a kid’s development.
- Predators can join Roblox too, and they do so to take advantage of kids who use the platform to play. The abuse won’t happen within the Roblox app itself. Instead, the predator will persuade the child to join them in another app such as Discord or Reddit.
- There is plenty of user-generated content on Roblox, which can be dangerous. The platform will allow your kid to see games that include inappropriate content such as excessive violence or sexual things. Parental controls are vital in this situation, so you must ensure that your child’s account has them on.
- Your kid’s account can be hacked. It’s the nature of the beast. It could lose all its bought items or experience theft in other ways. It is called “beaming,” affecting a kid’s well-being.
So, as you can see, Roblox has risks for any younger user. These problems are not inherent to this platform. Instead, they are common to any social network or gaming network. Since Roblox brings together the best of both worlds, it also combines the worse of them.
Fortunately, you can do plenty to ensure your children’s safety in Roblox, and we’re about to tell you what that is.
Keeping your children safe on Roblox – The things to do
Let’s start by putting our kind reader at ease. Roblox is a safe environment for children for the most part. The platform’s privacy and security measures go a long way toward making this platform a harmonious community. Also, having human moderators around helps very much.
The risk of cyberbullying showing its ugly face is still there, but Robux takes a proactive stance against it. The company’s position on privacy is also progressive — for instance, people who sign up are encouraged not to reveal their real names.
However, the fact that the Roblox environment is generally wholesome and safe for kids shouldn’t stop you from being concerned. Also, there is no digital environment that can’t be made safer. So let’s see some things you can do to help your kids stay safe as they enjoy the Roblox experience.
1. Keep an eye on chat interactions. Don’t hesitate to block Roblox users.
The good news is that Roblox is already monitoring chat interactions. Swearwords become hashtags, and human moderators ensure that the community standards are met. Those two things make your kid’s experience age-appropriate in most cases.
But you can still do more to ensure your kid’s security.
The Roblox safety features page says parents can block other users if they find them harassing, bullying, or spamming their offspring. It is invaluable if your kid comes over excessive peer pressure or, even worse, has to deal with cyberbullying.
Blocking a user is straightforward:
- Open their Roblox account.
- Click on the three dots at the top right corner of the screen.
- Click on “Block User” as the menu pops up.
In extreme scenarios, you can even shut down the chat feature completely. However, chatting and interacting with other players on the platform is an integral part of the Roblox experience. So, you should only keep this measure for the most extreme cases. Before trying such a radical option, we suggest you filter their chat or even read their messages now and then.
2. Set up the Roblox parental controls
Roblox has parental controls. Activating them is easy and can go a long way in giving you peace of mind. Do this:
- Open the Roblox app on the device your kid typically uses. Log into their account.
- Click on the three dots at the lower-right corner.
- In the Settings menu, click on “Security.”
- Go to the “Account Restrictions” tab.
- Click on the slider so that it turns green.
It will limit the games available to your kid and turn on the chat filters.
The game availability comes from a curated list of Roblox games deemed family-friendly. Then the chat filters will prevent the kid from sharing personal information.
Additionally, you can set up a PIN so that only you can edit or change the “Account Restrictions.”
We encourage you to be aware of your kid’s activities everywhere on the internet and in Roblox. But we suggest that you be discreet and restrained. It probably won’t be helpful for your kid if you’re checking Roblox daily. Every human being needs privacy, and your children are no exception. Also, it stresses kids to feel that you’re always looking over their shoulders. So please respect their privacy and keep them updated, as you also exercise your authority to keep them safe.
3. Choose a strong password and enable additional security measures
Sometimes the most uncomplicated steps are the most relevant. Good passwords are one of those things. First, ensure that your kid’s password is a safe one.
Also, enable two-factor authentication. These two measures will go a long way in preventing any hacker from successfully attacking the account.
These two simple things can significantly improve your child’s security, so don’t overlook them.
4. Convince your kid to play offline
Staying offline is always a viable strategy to fend off cyber threats. That’s why Roblox supports offline play to keep your kids safe. So, if you are hesitant to expose your child to strangers online, then it’s better to let them play offline.
5. Talk to your kid about Roblox
Using all the technology, gadgets, features, and digital things you have at hand to protect your kid is all very well as far as it goes. But nothing can substitute for genuine love, care, and time spent with your children.
Also, the best defense against any threat starts with having the best information possible in the digital world. So talk to your kids about digital security and online threats. Join Roblox yourself and play a few games on occasion. That also will keep you close to your kid in the digital arena. These things will empower your kid because he will feel protected (without feeling overwhelmed), and they will be better prepared to deal with bullies, requests for sensitive information, and more.
It very often happens that the kids are more tech-savvy than their parents. However, their high degree of expertise in trivialities doesn’t turn them into security experts. They may not know anything about harassment, phishing, and other cybercrimes. That’s where you come in.
The best VPNs for Roblox today
Currently, a top-notch VPN service is not a luxury or a toy for the geekiest as it used to be. Instead, it’s necessary; nobody should ever be online without one. But, of course, we are in the privacy and security business, so we’re probably biased. However, if you are worried about the security of any type, on any platform, or for any age group, a VPN is helpful, and you should consider getting one.
Before we move on, let’s briefly review what VPNs are and what you should expect from one.
A VPN is a service that does two things to your internet traffic. First, it encrypts it. Second, it sends it to the internet through a server in its VPN network, thus hiding your IP address from the world. That’s the basic service. However, the best VPNs on the internet will give you many additional features to enhance your privacy and online safety.
So the question is: should you use a VPN to help your kid’s privacy on Roblox? The answer is yes. It would be best if you always used a VPN for yourself, your kids, your wife, and your family. But there are some reasons specific to Roblox; read on.
How you connect to the Roblox network to play makes it too easy for any other user to find out your IP address — hence your physical location and additional sensitive information. In this case, it would be your child’s physical location. You don’t want strangers finding out this information about your family on any digital platform. And a VPN will avoid that complication. It is enough for you to want a VPN on your kid’s device. Additionally, if you choose one of the best, you will have many excellent additional services.
Also, if your kid got banned from Roblox, the ban is based on IP addresses, so the VPN will allow you to bypass the ban.
So here are the best VPNs you should consider to make your kid’s Roblox experience safer:
1. NordVPN
Helps unblock Roblox restrictions worldwide thanks to its reliable SmartPlay feature. In addition, the service uses 256-AES-CBC alongside a 2048bit Diffie-Hellman key, offering military-standard protection to users.
More than 5,100 servers in 57+ countries
P2P-friendly
Double encryption on offer
6 simultenious connections
30 days no-questions-asked money-back guarantee
Automatic web protection feature
Boasts double VPN feature
Customizable kill switch
SmartPlay feature
Seamless Tor compatibility
Pros
- Fast speeds across all VPN server locations
- Allows P2P sharing on a good number of servers
- Accepts anonymous (crypto) payments
- Competitive price and customarily updates
Cons
- We did not find its OpenVPN configuration to be user-friendly for beginners
NordVPN is the best VPN overall in the market. Its server network is extensive, the speeds are high, it unblocks every video platform you can imagine, and it has many features besides IP masking and encryption.
2. ExpressVPN
With super-fast servers, plenty of locations worldwide, and dependable support service, ExpressVPN is the favorite Roblox VPN of many users for good reasons.
More than 3,000 servers in over 92 countries
AES 256-bit encryption
Leak protection feature
Boasts P2P-optimized servers
Allows 5 simultaneous connections
30 days money back guarantee
Split tunneling feature
TrustedServer technology exclusive to it
Pros
- Fast servers across the globe
- Allows P2P without throttling
- Advanced security and privacy features
Cons
- Slightly costly than an industry knowledge
ExpressVPN was the industry’s leader for years, and it remains the favorite of many experts up until now. There are good reasons for that. It is a good choice for Roblox or any other online task you need to complete.
3. Surfshark
On top of robust security, it allows unblocking Roblox in any country where Roblox is banned, thanks to the provider’s NoBorders feature that works a treat.
Over 3,200 VPN servers in 65 countries worldwide
AES 256-bit industry-standard encryption
MultiHop mode
Unlimited simultaneous connections
30-days of money-back guarantee
CleanWeb feature
Camouflage mode (with obfuscated servers)
Pros
- Intuitive apps
- Affordable long-term plan
- 24/7 friendly live chat support
Cons
- Limited P2P servers with slow speeds sometimes
Surfshark is the new kid on the block of the VPN world. It has disrupted the market by offering service close to NordVPN and ExpressVPN regarding quality. But it costs about a third. So if budget concerns you, or your family situation is such that you need many devices (more than six) to be protected by a VPN simultaneously, this is the way to go.
Roblox’s efforts to provide a safer experience
Roblox is a privacy-minded platform, constantly improving how it manages privacy and security features.
One of the improvements implemented recently is an age verification feature. So if you want to enjoy some of the platform’s best features (voice chat, for example), you need to submit an official ID that proves your age and a selfie. The process is much more straightforward than it sounds, and you can complete it in fewer than a few minutes. But, of course, if your kid goes through this process, they should always have your guidance.
Another step in making things safe for kids is eliminating any online dating element in the platform. The platform deleted all the games that included a dating feature. Moreover, any romantic gesture is strictly forbidden within the forum. Anything that has to do with romantic relationships is considered out of place in Roblox and is banned.
The Roblox Lexicon: Try to understand your kid
Every community develops a slang of sorts, sooner or later. So you could find that you can’t make heads or tails of what your kid says to friends while chatting. So keep reading to learn about the most common Roblox shorthands and slang terms:
- ABC. It means that a player is ready to do something. It can be a question or a statement.
- Blox. To kill a player in a Roblox game.
- Brick. It refers to the virtual materials used to create all kinds of things within the platform.
- Brick Battle. It means combat within the game. It can be individual or in teams.
- Cord/Discord. It’s a reference to the popular messaging platform Discord. It’s one of the best and more popular online communities but a terrible place for kids to be around without supervision. Discord allows video calls and game bots. Unfortunately, it can remove most of the friction in predators contacting children.
- Obby/Obbie. A pet name for “obstacle course game.” It’s a popular genre in Roblox.
- Robloxonian. Any Roblox user.
Conclusion: Should I let my kid use Roblox?
As social internet platforms go, Roblox is one of the safest for kids. That is because it has several built-in mechanisms that protect minors from predators and cybercriminals. Most others, like TikTok, do nothing about it, or their efforts are so tepid as to be unexistent.
So is it ok to trust the platform enough to let your child join?
Well, Roblox takes child safety seriously and makes an effort to enforce it. But your kid is your responsibility, so do not rely on the platform’s goodwill. Talk to your child. Have a conversation with him about not sharing personal data or other sensitive information with strangers online. Explain why two-factor authentication and a suitable password are good things.
So, you should allow your kid to join Roblox, meet new people, and play games. The virtual world is part of life in our current age, and you won’t be able to keep your children away from it, nor should you.
If you take your parental responsibilities seriously, adopt the measures explained in this article, spend a bit of time with your kids, and keep your communication with them current and fresh. So, when you know what’s happening with your kids, you don’t have to fear their involvement in Roblox.
FAQs
Roblox is a comprehensive gaming platform with thousands of online games developed by users. It’s like a vast virtual video game marketplace, except most games are free. So your kid can have a lot of fun playing those games or developing a game himself. However, Roblox is also a social network, but it can create some security risks for minors. Nevertheless, you can neutralize those risks for the most part by following the suggestions given above.
Roblox is one of the safest social and gaming platforms online today. The community is friendly, and there are several minor-friendly measures online to protect kids. Also, some human moderators ensure things run smoothly. However, nothing is ever perfect for children’s digital security. If you want to know more about this, we encourage you to read our full feature article on this subject.
If left unmonitored, then yes, it can be detrimental to your kids’ mental health. That’s because the platform has poor moderation and exploitative business practices. But it’s generally safe to use if you keep an eye on your child’s activities.
Roblox is privacy-minded, and it has children’s safety in mind. So it has many features that a parent can use to supervise and protect kids utilizing the platform. For example, you can talk to your kids about Roblox, enable the platform’s parental controls, and monitor their activities.
Roblox mainly has a user base of small kids, though there are some older users as well. For safety purposes, you shouldn’t allow small kids to use Roblox online. However, if your kid is 13 years and above, you may then allow Roblox with controlled access.
“Safe chat” used to be a feature in Roblox. It prevented young users from typing chat messages. Instead, they would pick a pre-written phrase from a list.
Robux is the platform’s digital currency. First, you can purchase it using real money, and then you can use the Robux tokens to buy items within the Robux virtual environment.
It depends on the specific free VPN you have in mind, and the only way to find the solution is to try it out. However, we always discourage our readers from free VPNs. They create additional privacy problems and often fall short on resources and functionality. Thus, most free VPNs won’t let you play in Roblox due to capped data, limited bandwidth, or unstable connectivity.
VPNs are not against Roblox’s terms of use. But if you use a VPN to bypass a ban, then Roblox would see that as breaking the rules, and they could ban you again or terminate your account.
