Roblox Parents’ Guide: What to Know Before Letting Your Kids Play

Roblox has been around for a long time, and indeed, you’ve no doubt heard of it by now. It seems every child is playing it or asking to play it. So, what is Roblox? Does it cost money, and is it safe? These are pretty standard questions we receive about it. Fortunately, this Roblox Parents Guide is designed to give you all the insider information.

Roblox has had its ups and downs over the years, and there are a lot of rumors circulating that it’s unsafe for kids. Furthermore, there are rumors that it’s graphic or inappropriate for children. Unfortunately, many of these rumors do have substance. However, that may not mean you should tell your child no just yet.

Read the following sections to make a fully informed decision about Roblox.

Is Roblox Safe for Kids?

Times have certainly changed since we were young. Protecting your child isn’t as simple as locking the front door and telling them to avoid strangers. In the digital era, we let strangers enter our homes and communicate with our children via electronic devices. This is, unfortunately, the way of the world today. Any device connected to the internet can be unsafe for children.

So, we’ll answer your most burning question first in our Parent Guide, “Is Roblox safe for kids?“

Ultimately, Roblox is only as safe as you make it. The company offers plenty of parental controls and even has automatic restrictions for those under 13. Unfortunately, kids are tech-savvy and can easily bypass many of these restrictions.

Because Roblox has chat options and it’s filled with spammers, staying on top of your child’s activity is paramount to their safety and security. However, if you install the app and log into your child’s account, you can see all of your child’s activity in real time.

We’ll break down our chief concerns as parents and gamers in the following sections of this Roblox Parent Guide.

Chat Communications and Outside Influences

First and foremost, Roblox has chat options. We have great control over these, and anyone under the age of 13 can’t access the chat. However, these are easily bypassed, and if your child is tech-savvy enough, they can get into very unsafe situations on Roblox.

Our safety concerns are further compounded by the fact that Roblox is the place for kids to hang out, and many unsafe adults are aware of this. It’s crucial that parents monitor the app and chat to ensure their child is safe.

Hackers and Scammers

Another issue with Roblox is that there are so many hackers and spammers that it’s challenging to enjoy the games. Picture it: your child pays for $50 worth of Robux, the virtual currency of Roblox, using their birthday money. The following day, the money is gone, and an unknown individual has overtaken the account. This scenario is commonplace for Roblox users.

While the company’s customer service team will help you get the account back, getting the money back isn’t always easy or possible. Furthermore, it’s an incredibly unnecessary hassle.

Adult Content

Adult content is another safety concern regarding kids and Roblox. Developers can upload their own games, so there’s no telling what may pop up or what your child is actually playing if you aren’t paying attention.

Moreover, Roblox’s chats are notoriously toxic. From bullying to slurs and profanity, Roblox chats have it all. However, the company does have filters for this content in the chats that you can enable, but you must remain diligent.

How Much Does Roblox Cost? Is It Free?

Roblox is free to install and play. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t have to pull out the debit card to appease your child. As we mentioned, Roblox has a transaction system called Robux. While you’re likely already preparing to say no, it isn’t that simple.

Robux is a great reward for good behavior, chores, or special treats. Furthermore, if your child wants to unlock special abilities, outfits, and weapons, they can get them using the in-game currency purchased with real money.

If you really don’t want to spend money and you’re into teaching life lessons, the majority of items can be obtained through gameplay. So, those looking to keep Roblox free should be prepared for that battle.

Is There Violence in Roblox?

Yes. There is violence in Roblox. However, not every game (or even a majority of the games) includes violence. You see, Roblox itself isn’t a game. It’s more like a game library. Therefore, your child has plenty of titles to play.

Some of these titles, such as Phantom Forces and Mortum Metallum, do have violent concepts, weapons, and battles. Moreover, Roblox lets unknown developers publish games. So, there’s no telling what game could be uploaded at any given point.

Furthermore, Roblox does have restrictions on violence. For example, even unknown developers can’t upload games with extremely violent content like animal abuse or real-world depictions of death. If violence is your concern, you must ensure your child is playing games you’ve approved and not wandering.

What Is Roblox’s Age Rating?

Roblox’s official ESRB rating is T for Teen. However, many younger kids play Roblox games as well. As mentioned previously, Roblox doesn’t have a minimum age restriction, and accounts for kids under 13 are automatically restricted.

The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) gave Roblox the T for Teen rating because it has diverse content, violent content, and strong language. However, some parents may feel this isn’t suitable for their younger teens, while others may approve of Roblox for younger kids.

What Do You Do in Roblox?

Now, it’s time to talk about why your child wants Roblox. Aside from the fact that all of their friends are playing it, the gaming platform has a lot to offer. You can play building games, racing games, simulation games, and more.

One of the best things about Roblox is that it can actually teach kids coding, animation, and design. So, if you’re looking for a reason to say yes to Roblox, that’s definitely a great one.

Is Roblox Okay for 7-Year-Olds?

Officially, no. Roblox’s official rating is that it’s better for teens than younger audiences. However, it’s common for younger kids to play it, especially certain games. For example, Themepark Tycoon is a game where kids can build theme parks and work creatively.

Some games would be suitable for younger audiences despite the age rating. At the same time, other games may not be appropriate for older kids.

Wrapping Up

Roblox is a great place to meet new friends and enjoy various games. However, it may not be appropriate for all children.

Ultimately, deciding to install Roblox is dependent on whether you have the resources to monitor your child’s online activities and if you think your child is mature enough to handle adult interactions and content, which they may very well encounter on Roblox.

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