What Parents Should Know About Roblox

If your child is between the ages of 6 and 12, chances are they’ve mentioned - or begged to play - Roblox. With over 70 million daily users, Roblox has become one of the most popular online gaming platforms for kids. But you might be asking yourself, “What exactly is it? And should I be worried?”

Here’s where most parents get confused. It’s not a single video game. It’s a video game platform, that hosts many video games. But that’s not even the full picture. If you want to get precise, it’s an entire universe of user-created experiences. Does that clear things up? 

What kids do on it: they can play games, build their own virtual worlds, and even chat with others online. It’s creative, social, and engaging, which is exactly why it can be confusing and overwhelming for parents trying to keep up.

While your first reaction might be to declare, “No Roblox in this household!” you can have a healthy dose of Roblox if you understand how it works, what the real risks are, and how to keep your child safe while they play.

Here’s what every parent should know about Roblox and how to make it a healthy part of your child’s digital world.

💡 Key takeaways

• Roblox has more than 70 million daily players, and most kids play to socialize and create, not just to compete.
• Parents who show curiosity about their child’s Roblox world tend to have more open, trusting conversations about online safety.
• Roblox’s built-in parental controls can limit chat, restrict spending, and help you monitor playtime together.

Roblox is a platform, not a single game

When kids say they’re “playing Roblox,” they’re actually entering a virtual world that hosts millions of games (called “experiences”), all created by users. You’ll find obstacle courses to role playing adventures to social hangouts. 

Since anyone can create a game on Roblox, quality and content vary widely. Some experiences are wonderfully creative and educational, while others may include content that’s too mature for younger kids.

Rainbow Friends, for instance, is about two kids who stray from their school bus trip into an abandoned warehouse, where they’re hunted by colorful monsters and have to gather boxes to get out of the warehouse.

Parent tip:
Before your child plays a new Roblox experience, take a minute to preview it. You can search the title in Roblox and look for user reviews and the age recommendation provided. Many games are appropriate for ages 9+, but it depends on your child’s maturity and your comfort level.

Social interaction is part of the appeal … and the risk

Roblox allows players to chat and collaborate with others online, which is one of its most exciting features, and one of the biggest areas of concern for parents..

Kids can make friends, work together, and even build virtual communities. But just like any online platform, chat features can expose them to strangers, inappropriate language, or unwanted messages if settings aren’t adjusted.

Parent tip:
Go into your child’s account settings and explore Privacy Controls:

• Turn off “Who can message me” or set it to “Friends.”
• Review “Who can join me in experiences.” Limiting this to friends keeps everything safer.
• Enable “Account Restrictions.” This filters games and blocks content not appropriate for kids under 13.

Let your child know they should come to you if someone says or sends anything that feels uncomfortable or confusing.

There are in-game purchases (Robux) … and they add up

Roblox is free to download and play, but it includes in-game purchases using its currency, called Robux. Kids can buy items for their avatar, upgrades, or access to premium games.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, but many parents are caught off guard by surprise charges. Younger kids, especially, don’t always understand real-world money value when they’re buying virtual outfits.

Parent tip:
If your child wants Robux, set a monthly allowance and link it to a prepaid card or gift card rather than a credit card. This keeps spending predictable and teaches financial awareness.

Also, use the Roblox “Spend Notifications” feature so you can see purchase activity. You might see this as a teachable moment about budgeting and making thoughtful choices online.

Roblox offers built-in parental controls

Roblox has made significant improvements in safety settings over the years, and it’s worth taking advantage of them.

Here’s how to get started:

• Set an account PIN. This prevents kids from changing privacy or security settings.
• Use “Account Restrictions.” This filters games to those verified as age-appropriate and limits chat to pre-approved words or phrases.
• Check the “Parent Dashboard.” You can review your child’s friends list, messages, and recent games played.

Take 10 minutes to go through settings together. It’s empowering for kids to understand what these features do and why they matter. Added plus so you don’t come off as the bad guy: it also normalizes safety as a shared responsibility, not a punishment.

You can use Roblox as a tool for digital learning

Despite the safety concerns, Roblox can actually teach kids valuable skills when used with intention. Many experiences involve problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. Some kids even use Roblox Studio, the platform’s building tool, to learn coding and design fundamentals.

The best approach isn’t to ban Roblox but to play it together occasionally. Ask your child to show you their favorite games, explain the goals, or teach you how to play. This is a great way to learn the platform and understand the risks - and allure of the platform - at the same time.

Parent tip:
Set balanced limits. Roblox is stimulating and social, which can make it hard for kids to stop playing. Agree on a daily or weekly screen time cap. 

Keep the conversation going about Roblox safety

Digital safety isn’t a one-time talk but rather an ongoing conversation. The more comfortable your child feels bringing up their online experiences, the safer they’ll be.

 💬 Ask questions like:

• “What do you like most about Roblox?”
• “Have you met anyone new in a game?”
• “Did anything weird or upsetting happen while playing?”

Approach with curiosity, not judgment. 

Making Roblox a safe and creative space for your child

Roblox isn’t inherently dangerous. It’s a tool. Like any tool, it depends on how it’s used and how involved parents are. With a little setup, supervision, and open communication, Roblox can be a safe, creative outlet for your child to learn, build, and play with friends.