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Parent's Guide to Roblox

Is Roblox Safe for My Child?

"They're playing with friends" — but are they really?

If your child plays Roblox, you've probably heard "all my friends are on it" and watched the Robux requests pile up. With 100+ million daily active users and 40% under 13, Roblox is one of the largest platforms your child will ever use — and one of the most misunderstood by parents.

A 2025 investigation found adults can interact with children as young as 5 on Roblox. Over 30 people have been arrested since 2018 for crimes against children met on the platform. Whether you're setting up Roblox for the first time or worried things have already gone wrong — I help with both.

Featured in The Washington Post 12 years in schools Former gaming addict

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The Basics

What Is Roblox and Why Do Kids Love It?

Roblox isn't a single game — it's a platform hosting 44+ million user-created games and experiences. Kids can play, create, and chat with others. It's free to play but makes billions through Robux, the in-game currency. The appeal is endless novelty — there's always something new to try, and "everyone at school is on it."

Unlike traditional games with defined endings, Roblox is designed for perpetual engagement. New experiences launch constantly. Social pressure keeps children coming back. And because anyone can create content, quality and safety vary wildly — from innocent obstacle courses to experiences that have exposed children to sexual content.

100M+
Daily Users
40%
Under 13
44M+
Games
7+
Age Rating
Safety Assessment

Is Roblox Safe for Kids?

Roblox is not safe by default. A 2025 investigation by Revealing Reality (reported in The Guardian) found adults can interact with children as young as 5, and 10-year-old accounts accessed sexually suggestive content despite restrictions. Over 30 arrests since 2018 for crimes against children met on Roblox. With proper setup, risks reduce significantly — but knowing the settings isn't enough. It's how you supervise and the conversations you have that make the difference.

Most parents assume Roblox is safe because it looks child-friendly. The colourful avatars and blocky graphics mask serious risks. The difference between safe and dangerous Roblox use comes down to about 15 minutes of setup — but technology alone won't protect them. I help families figure out what actually works for their situation.

The Addiction Pattern

Why Can't My Child Stop Playing Roblox?

Roblox is infinite by design — millions of games, constant updates, and social pressure to keep up. The Robux economy creates artificial scarcity and spending pressure. With $3.6 billion in 2024 revenue from 82.9 million daily users spending 73.5 billion hours annually, this isn't accidental. Your child isn't playing one game; they're in a casino-adjacent environment where stopping means missing out. I've seen this pattern in hundreds of families. It's deliberate.

The "Game Within Games" Problem

Unlike a traditional video game with levels and an ending, Roblox has no conclusion. There's always another game to try, another experience launching, another friend asking them to join. This infinite structure means there's never a natural stopping point — every moment feels like the wrong moment to quit.

Social Status and Virtual Items

Robux isn't just currency — it's social capital. Limited-time items create FOMO. Children without the "right" avatar accessories can feel left out. The spending pressure isn't accidental; it's the business model. And because Roblox is global, friends are always online somewhere, making "just five more minutes" feel essential.

Why This Matters for Your Child

The design exploits how children's brains work — immediate rewards, social belonging, endless novelty. Former Facebook President Sean Parker admitted tech founders "knew that they were exploiting vulnerabilities in human psychology — understood this consciously — and we did it anyway." Your child isn't weak-willed; they're responding exactly as intended to technology built by thousands of engineers. Understanding this changes how you approach the conversation. I help families have that conversation.

What Parents Need to Know

What Are the Dangers of Roblox?

The main dangers are predator contact, inappropriate user-generated content, addictive design, and spending pressure. With 44 million games, quality control is impossible. Children stumble into adult-themed experiences rated "Mild." The 2025 Revealing Reality investigation found adults could interact with children as young as 5. I've seen this platform cause real problems — it's a complete design system to hook kids and get their money.

The April 2025 Revealing Reality Investigation

A major investigation published in April 2025 by Revealing Reality (reported in The Guardian) found "deeply disturbing" evidence of adults preying on children through Roblox:

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Adults Can Interact With Children as Young as 5

A test account posing as a 42-year-old could add children as young as 5 as friends. This should be impossible — it isn't.

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Private Chat With Teenagers

The same 42-year-old test account could privately chat with accounts aged 13+. Age verification is "limited in its effectiveness."

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10-Year-Olds Accessing Suggestive Content

A 10-year-old test account accessed "highly suggestive environments" despite parental controls being in place.

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30+ Arrests Since 2018

Over 30 people have been arrested for abducting or sexually abusing children they groomed on Roblox. Six arrests in 2025 alone (as of June).

The Legal Actions Mounting

Governments are taking notice. Louisiana's Attorney General sued Roblox for "systematic failure to keep children safe." Florida issued a subpoena investigating marketing to children and safety policies. Turkey, Kuwait, and Qatar have blocked the platform entirely. This isn't normal for a children's game.

Why ADHD/Autistic Children Are Particularly Vulnerable

After 12 years working with children with ADHD and autism, I've seen Roblox hit neurodivergent kids harder. The endless novelty mimics how their brains crave stimulation. The visual rewards match how they learn. The social aspect feels safer than real-world interaction. But the dopamine cycle is more intense, and breaking the habit is harder. Research shows psychological reactance mediates the relationship between parental control and problematic smartphone use in teens — standard restrictions often backfire. If your child has ADHD or autism, extra vigilance is essential.

Safety Assessment

Is Roblox Safe? It Depends on You.

Roblox can be safe for children — but not by default. The difference between safe and risky comes down to about 15 minutes of setup and knowing what to look for.

The platform's standard settings prioritise engagement over protection. Out of the box, children can chat with strangers, make unlimited purchases, and access games designed for older players. With proper configuration, these risks become manageable.

What Makes It Work

  • Parental controls fully enabled
  • Chat restricted to approved friends
  • Spending PIN required for purchases
  • Age-appropriate content filtering
  • Regular conversations about activity

What Makes It Fail

  • Default settings left unchanged
  • Open communication with strangers
  • Unlimited purchasing ability
  • Access to all games regardless of rating
  • Unsupervised, unbounded sessions
Daniel Towle
From Someone Who's Been There

I know why your child can't stop — because I couldn't either.

Games hijack a child's sense of progression. I've progressed in so many games — days, weeks, months — but it doesn't lead to anything in real life. That's the problem. As a kid, when school feels hard or parents are applying pressure, being able to play a game that's far more fun and feel like you're progressing... it's beneficial in that moment, but it comes with addictive tendencies. Roblox, with its endless user-generated content and constant novelty, is designed to never let that feeling end.

Daniel Towle

Daniel Towle

Digital Family Coach
Washington Post Featured
Recognition

Is My Child Addicted to Roblox?

Not every child who loves Roblox is addicted. But if it's causing regular distress, affecting school or sleep, and they can't stop despite wanting to — these are warning signs. The platform is designed to maximise engagement. The key question: is Roblox enhancing their life or taking from it? Here's how to tell the difference.

Signs It Might Be Problematic

Signs It's Normal But Needs Boundaries

Signs You Need Professional Help

50% of 10-11 year olds wouldn't tell their parents if something worried them online — because they're scared they'll be in trouble. This is what we're not talking about right now. If your child ticks multiple boxes above, the conversation is more important than the controls. I can help you have it.

Parental controls won't fix this.
Find out what will.

Most parents set restrictions and hope for the best. But controls are only 5% of the solution. Take the 2-minute assessment to see what's really going on.

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The Meltdown Pattern

Why Does My Child Get Angry When I Turn Off Roblox?

Roblox triggers are different from other games. Your child isn't just losing screen time — they're being removed from their social world mid-conversation, mid-trade, mid-game with friends. The anger comes from social interruption plus dopamine withdrawal simultaneously. Understanding this doesn't excuse the behaviour, but it changes how you address it.

The Social Dimension

When you turn off Roblox, your child doesn't just stop playing — they go offline in front of their friends. For many children, this feels shameful. They were mid-conversation, mid-game, maybe mid-trade. The abruptness isn't just about the game ending; it's about social disruption they didn't choose.

The Dopamine Crash

Roblox provides constant micro-rewards — new games to discover, items to earn, friends to chat with. Stopping abruptly removes that dopamine supply. A longitudinal fMRI study (2025) found screen restriction triggers brain activity changes "that may reflect withdrawal-related processes." The rage you see isn't defiance; it's neurochemistry. Understanding this doesn't mean tolerating bad behaviour, but it changes the conversation from "why won't you just stop?" to "let's figure out how to make stopping easier."

Creating Stopping Rituals That Work

The key is making stopping feel like their choice, not your imposition. Give warnings (15 minutes, 5 minutes, 1 minute). Let them finish their current game or trade. Create a ritual for saying goodbye to friends. These aren't rewards for bad behaviour — they're strategies that reduce meltdowns for everyone. I help families develop approaches that fit their specific situation.

Digital Family Coach

Recognising Some of These Signs?

Parental controls help, but they don't fix the underlying patterns. If Roblox has become a source of daily conflict — or you're worried about who your child is talking to — I can help you find an approach that actually works.

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45 minutes £75 / $95 No waiting list
What Parents Say

"Daniel helped us understand why our son couldn't just 'stop when we asked.' The session changed how we approach screen time completely. No more daily battles."

Sarah, mum of 9-year-old London

"I thought I was the only parent struggling with this. Daniel's been through it himself — that makes such a difference. He gets it in a way other 'experts' don't."

James, dad of 11-year-old Manchester

"Our daughter has ADHD and Roblox had become an obsession. Daniel's SEN experience meant he understood her needs. We finally have boundaries that work."

Michelle, mum of 10-year-old Birmingham
The Reality About Controls

Do Roblox Parental Controls Actually Work?

Roblox has parental controls — but they're only about 5% of the solution. The 2025 investigation found safety controls "limited in their effectiveness." A 10-year-old test account accessed sexually suggestive content despite restrictions. Most parents think controls do 50-90% of the work. They really don't. The other 95% requires conversation, boundaries, and implementation together.

What Controls Can't Do:

  • Stop determined kids from finding workarounds
  • Filter all 44+ million user-generated games
  • Prevent all stranger contact (a 42-year-old friended 5-year-olds in testing)
  • Address the underlying reasons your child is drawn to Roblox

The Real Challenge:

  • Setting up the RIGHT controls for YOUR child's age and situation
  • Having conversations that don't turn into arguments
  • Creating boundaries they'll respect when you're not watching
  • Knowing what to do when they find workarounds

Want help getting this right? In a 45-minute session, I help you set up the RIGHT controls for your situation AND develop the conversation strategy that makes them work. Book a session — £75 / $95

Daniel Towle, Screen Time Specialist
The Truth About Controls

If there was a parental control that did it really well, there would just be one.

Parental controls give parents a false sense of security and give children a sense of rebellion at far too early an age. They're about 5% of the solution. Most parents think they do 50-90% of the work — they really don't. The other 95% is conversation, boundaries, and helping your child understand why Roblox is designed the way it is.

Daniel Towle

Digital Family Coach
Washington Post
12+ Years in Schools

Want help setting this up? I walk families through Roblox setup and the conversations that actually matter in 45-minute sessions. If you'd rather get it right first time than troubleshoot later, book a session here — £75 / $95, no waiting list.

Age Matters

What Age Is Roblox Appropriate For?

Roblox is rated 7+ by PEGI, but this doesn't account for predator risk, spending pressure, or the 44+ million user-generated games that slip through moderation. The right approach depends entirely on your child — age is only one factor. What works for one 10-year-old won't work for another.

<9

Under 9

At this age, it's not just about settings — it's about whether they should be on Roblox at all. If they are, how you supervise matters as much as what controls you use. The 2025 investigation found 5-year-olds could be friended by adults.

9-12

Ages 9-12

A critical window. The approach needs to balance protection with their growing need for independence — and this is where most parents get it wrong. Generic "restrict everything" advice doesn't account for your child's maturity or situation.

13+

Ages 13+

They need to learn self-regulation, not just restrictions. The conversation changes completely at this age. And if your child has ADHD or autism, the considerations are different again — Roblox's repetitive loops are particularly compelling for neurodivergent children.

I tailor my approach to your child's specific age, maturity, and situation. Generic advice like "set it to Minimal" isn't enough when your child's safety is at stake. Get age-appropriate guidance — £75 / $95

Counter-Intuitive Insights

What Do Most Parents Get Wrong About Roblox?

1

"My child is playing with friends, so it's social"

Kids believe their friends are online but they're not really playing together. It's parallel play at best — they're in the same game but having separate experiences. Don't let Roblox replace real-world social development.

2

"Parental controls will fix it"

Parental controls give parents a false sense of security. A 2025 investigation found a 10-year-old accessing inappropriate content despite restrictions. Technology alone won't fix this — the real work is conversation and implementation.

3

"I should just ban Roblox"

Technology is built on rebellion. Outright bans often backfire — kids find workarounds, play at friends' houses, or feel isolated. Boundaries plus conversations beat bans.

4

"Taking it away without explanation"

You've just taken away the dopamine rush without explaining why. You've basically taken an addictive substance away rapidly. The brain doesn't have time to respond — and therefore they will argue. Explain the why.

5

"It's just a game"

It's not just a game — it's a complete design system to hook kids in and get their money easily. Not educational whatsoever. The 7+ age rating doesn't reflect predator risk, spending pressure, or addictive design.

From 12 Years in Schools

What the Data Actually Shows

50%
of 10-11 year olds wouldn't tell their parents if something worried them online — scared they'll be in trouble
83%
of 10-11 year olds feel they know more about tech than their parents
59%
of 10-11 year olds hear "kids are better at tech than us" from their parents

Original research from Daniel's 12 years working in London schools

Common Questions

Your Questions Answered

Is Roblox safe for my child?
Roblox has serious safety concerns. A 2025 investigation found adults can interact with children as young as 5, and 10-year-old accounts accessed sexually suggestive content. Over 30 people have been arrested since 2018 for crimes against children met on Roblox. With proper controls, risks can be reduced — but parents need to understand what they're dealing with.

Can strangers contact my child on Roblox?
Yes. A 2025 Revealing Reality investigation found a 42-year-old test account could add children as young as 5 as friends, and privately chat with accounts aged 13+. Age verification on Roblox is limited in effectiveness. Privacy settings exist but must be actively configured by parents — and even then, they're not foolproof.

Why is my child so addicted to Roblox?
Roblox is designed to maximise engagement. With 44 million+ games, there's always something new. Robux creates spending pressure. It offers progression that feels more rewarding than schoolwork. It's "a complete design system to hook kids" — that's not criticism, that's how it's built.

Should I ban Roblox completely?
Outright bans often backfire — kids find workarounds or feel isolated from friends. But doing nothing isn't the answer either. The right approach depends on how embedded the habit is, your child's age, and what you've already tried. I help families find the balance that works.

How do I stop my child spending money on Robux?
There are technical settings that help, but the spending pressure is built into Roblox's design. Addressing it requires the right combination of controls AND conversations about how the platform manipulates them. The approach that works depends on your child's age and how the spending started — there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

What's the safest way to set up Roblox?
There's no single "safe setup" — it depends on your child's age, maturity, and what they want to do on the platform. The 2025 investigation found even accounts with restrictions could access inappropriate content. Technology alone won't keep them safe. I help families figure out what's right for their specific situation.

What happens in a session with you about Roblox?
We'll discuss your situation, your child's relationship with Roblox, and what you've tried. I'll help you understand why it has such a grip, identify the right approach for your child's age, and develop a plan that actually works — not generic advice you can find online. 45 minutes, £75 / $95, video call available worldwide.

What if my ex has different screen time rules?
Split households need consistent approaches — but that's not always possible. I work with co-parenting situations regularly. Even if only one parent is willing to engage, there are strategies that help. We'll focus on what you can control in your home, and I'll give you language that might help align with your co-parent if they're open to it.
By Age

Is Roblox Safe for Your Child's Age?

5

Is Roblox safe for 5 year olds?
No. Roblox requires reading skills, understanding of purchases, and ability to navigate social features — none of which 5-year-olds have. They can accidentally spend money, encounter strangers, or find inappropriate content. But "just don't let them play" ignores reality if an older sibling is on it daily. That's a different conversation.
7

Is Roblox safe for 7 year olds?
With heavy involvement. At 7, Roblox requires significant oversight — under-13 settings, account PIN, chat disabled or friends-only. But here's what most parents don't know: the 2025 investigation found even restricted accounts accessed inappropriate content. Settings alone aren't enough. It's how you supervise and the conversations you have when something goes wrong.
10

Is Roblox safe for 10 year olds?
Yes, with oversight. 10-year-olds can use Roblox more independently, but supervision remains essential. Ensure account restrictions are locked with PIN, review friend requests together, set spending limits. The risk at this age isn't just safety — it's the compulsive patterns becoming permanent. Getting boundaries right at 10 matters more than most parents realise.
12

Is Roblox safe for 12 year olds?
Yes, with conversation. At 12, the focus shifts from restriction to dialogue — over-restrict and they'll find workarounds. They're old enough to understand why certain interactions are risky. But here's the challenge: how do you have that conversation without lecturing? How do you keep communication open when they're already defensive? That's what I help parents figure out.

What age should my child play Roblox?
Roblox's minimum age is technically 13, but millions of younger children use it. Realistically: under 7, avoid it. Ages 7-9: only with direct supervision and maximum restrictions. Ages 10-12: with oversight and ongoing conversation. The right age depends less on birthdays and more on your child's maturity and your capacity to supervise.
Daniel Towle, Screen Time Specialist

Daniel Towle

Screen Time Specialist

I've watched Roblox's impact on children firsthand throughout my 12 years as Head of Technology in London schools — including special educational needs settings with children with ADHD and autism. I recovered from gaming addiction myself, so I understand why your child can't stop. My direct assessment: "It's a complete design system to hook kids in and get their money. Not educational whatsoever." Whether you're setting up Roblox for the first time or trying to fix years of bad habits — I help with both.

Washington Post 12+ years in schools SEN specialist Former gaming addict
Digital Family Coach

Ready to Get This Under Control?

Whether you're setting up Roblox for the first time or fixing years of problematic play — I help with both. One 45-minute session, a clear plan, and support to actually implement it.

Book Your Session — £75 / $95
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