What Is Roblox and Is It Safe for My Kid?

This article has been updated on October 18, 2024 based on new findings from a Hindenburg Research report.

Roblox was launched in 2006 and really gained momentum during the pandemic. Today, it's one of the most successful apps ever, with over 1 billion downloads in Google's PlayStore alone. It's available on mobile, PC, Mac, Xbox, and Fire OS - it's everywhere!

The target audience? Kids and teens. And they love it. According to Roblox, 21% of players are under 9 years old, 21% are 9-12 years old, and 16% are between 13 and 16 years old. That's a whopping 58% of users under 16!

Roblox is more than just a game. It's a free platform with millions of games. Adventures, role-playing games, battles, obstacle courses - the selection seems endless. What's special: The users themselves create these diverse worlds. With the Roblox Studio tool, they can create and share their own 3D experiences.

The platform currently counts over 40(!) million active "experiences". Among the most popular titles on Roblox are games like "Blox Fruits", a pirate adventure, or "Brookhaven", where players can build houses and explore a whole city.

In these games, kids can also chat and form friendships - often with complete strangers. All users can send text messages, which Roblox claims are filtered for younger users. From age 13 and with verified age, there's another feature: the so-called Spatial Voice Chat. This allows direct voice communication with other players in the same game.

Whenever a platform like Roblox allows contact with other users, parents should be alert. And a recent report from Hindenburg Research reveals what happens daily on Roblox - and it's far from good.

Tons of games - with some dark corners
Kids can design characters, practice problem-solving skills, and even learn programming - which is great in itself. But the Hindenburg report uncovers content that is simply shocking: Games like "Beat Up the Pregnant" or "Palestine And Israel Hangout" trivialize violence and sensitive political issues and are freely accessible to any user.

Another example is "XYZ Club Vibe" with 31 million visits, which allows users of any age to simulate sexual acts in virtual rooms. Even more alarming is the discovery of accounts named after notorious pedophiles or even fan accounts of these individuals - e.g., "JeffreyEpsteinSupporter" or "RavpeTinyK1dsJE" (rape tiny kids).

Poor content control
On Roblox, kids can collaborate with others. They can master challenges and practice social skills. This sounds good. But: Criminals have also used these opportunities to approach kids. Between 2019 and 2024, cases became known in which kids as young as 8 years old fell victim to such schemes.

Roblox claims to have the "world's best" content moderation. However, the Hindenburg report paints a different picture: Moderation tasks are often outsourced to underpaid workers in call centers who have to process countless cases of child abuse and bullying for about $12 a day. A drop in the ocean.

False user numbers
Roblox says it has 79.5 million daily users. According to Hindenburg Research, this number is likely 25-42% too high. Many accounts are probably fake or bots. Why is this a problem? With higher numbers, Roblox can charge more money from advertisers, possibly at the expense of the safety of their young users.

Virtual currency, real costs
Robux is the currency in Roblox. Many attractive features cost Robux, which are purchased with real money. For kids, the real value of this virtual currency is often hard to grasp, and they don't realize they're spending real money. Scammers also lure with "free" Robux. Kids could fall into traps or spend more than they should.

Given the age rating of 13+ and the risks outlined, we cannot recommend Roblox for kids under 13. The dangers significantly outweigh the potential benefits. Even for teenagers, parental guidance and supervision are essential.

If you still allow your kid to use Roblox, here's our safety checklist:

• Secure the account
  Set up the account yourself. Use all protective settings. Turn off chat. Only allow games you know and have checked.
• Actively participate
  Regularly check what your kid is playing. Even better: Play together and talk about it. This way, you'll get to know the platform and can better assess what your kid experiences.
• Talk openly
  Often discuss internet dangers. Explain why personal information shouldn't be shared. Encourage your kid to talk to you if something seems strange.
• Set boundaries
  Use Ohana to set time limits on Roblox use or block it entirely if you decide the risks are too high.
• Control spending
  If you allow Robux: Set clear limits. Explain the real value. Use gift cards instead of credit cards. This way, your child can't accidentally spend too much.
• Act on concerns
  Report strange occurrences to Roblox immediately. The more parents report problems, the sooner Roblox will have to change something.

While Roblox might look like harmless fun, you now know what's lurking underneath. Stay alert, stay involved, and don't be afraid to pull the plug if things get iffy.

Two final tips:

• We've created several lists of safe gaming apps for your kids. They are linked below this article.
• Also use our Smart App Check feature to see ratings for the installed apps on your kid's device.

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