Navigating the Roblox Universe: A Parent's Guide

Are you the parents of Tweens and Teens? Chances are your child might be exploring Roblox's virtual realms. While Roblox provides kids with an engaging and creative platform, ensuring their safety remains a top priority. Here's a brief guide on Roblox and how to use parental controls embedded within the game settings to enhance your child's safety.

2024 Update: I recently logged into Roblox to see if it had become safer, but unfortunately, I found that, yet again, some players in G-rated (Everyone) games were getting around the chat filters by making signs with offensive phrases on them. Roblox’s available filters and parental controls will not block these signs. I must stress that even with all the parental controls enabled, due to Roblox consisting of user-generated content, Roblox is not an entirely child-friendly platform. Parents are advised to supervise their children closely on Roblox and ensure that their children will alert them to any offensive behaviour they find in Roblox so that it can be reported and the game avoided.

Understanding Roblox

Roblox is an online platform that allows users to create and play games developed by other users. It's immensely popular among children and teens due to its vast library of games and the ability for users to design their own experiences. some games are G or PG-rated, and others deserve an 18+ rating.

Children frequently evade the parental controls on Roblox, so be aware there is no substitute for involved and supervising parents or carers.

As it is an online multi-player platform, it is vital that children and teens only chat and play with friends that they know and trust offline. Predators are known to hang out in Roblox, lurking for vulnerable victims.

The user-generated games hosted on Roblox are sometimes peppered with inappropriate explicit content, so restrictions and supervision are vital.

Parental Controls in Roblox

The platform provides several parental control features to help parents manage their child's experience: Navigate to the settings within Roblox’s menu.

1. Account Restrictions:

Ensure your child's account has the appropriate age settings. Roblox offers different levels of account restrictions based on age groups, allowing you to tailor the experience to your child's maturity level. You can block chat and games with age settings.

2. Privacy Settings:

Review and set privacy settings to control who can communicate with your child on Roblox. You can choose between "Everyone," "Friends," or "No one" for various communication features.

3. Content Filtering:

Enable content filtering to prevent your child from accessing games and experiences that may not be suitable for their age group. Roblox provides a range of content filters to align with your preferences. Note: these restrictions are not infallible.

4. Purchase Restrictions:

Set up purchase restrictions to prevent unauthorized spending. This ensures that your child can only make in-game purchases with your approval.

What Parents Can Do

Beyond the built-in parental controls, here are some additional steps you can take to enhance your child's safety on Roblox:

1. Open Communication:

Talk to your child about their experiences on Roblox. Encourage open communication so they feel comfortable sharing any concerns or issues.

2. Explore Together:

Take time to explore Roblox with your child. Please familiarise yourself with the games they enjoy, the communities they are a part of, and the overall environment of the platform.

3. Educate on Online Etiquette:

Teach your child about online etiquette and the importance of respectful behaviour. Emphasize the significance of reporting inappropriate content or interactions to Roblox and you as their parent.

4. Monitor Screen Time:

Set reasonable limits on screen time, ensuring a healthy balance between online activities and other holiday festivities. Encourage a mix of digital and offline experiences.

5. Stay Informed:

Roblox evolves, and so should your knowledge about the platform. Stay informed about updates, new features, and any safety recommendations Roblox provides.

6. Use Third-Party Security Software:

Consider using third-party security software or the built-in software within your child’s device that offers additional layers of protection beyond Roblox's built-in features. Parental control apps can further assist in managing your child's online activities. My Parent Guide has more information on this.

By combining the parental controls Roblox provides with open communication and proactive involvement, you can create a safer and more enjoyable experience for your child on Roblox.