ROBLOX
ROBLOX
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MINIMUM AGE: 7+ WHAT IS IT? Roblox is a free online platform where users can create, share, and play games created by other users. It's essentially a vast collection of user-generated games, offering a wide variety of experiences, from racing and role-playing to simulations and obstacle courses. Roblox also allows players to buy, sell, and create virtual items, and includes social hangouts and free-form user creation spaces. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. 🔞 Access to Inappropriate Content While Roblox has content moderation and parental controls, it’s an open platform - meaning not all games are age-appropriate, even if they seem harmless at first glance. Some experiences may contain violence, horror themes, gambling-style mechanics, or crude language. Players can dress their avatars in a range of outfits, some of which may be suggestive depending on what's trending in the community. 💬Direct Messaging Roblox allows direct communication through in-game chat. Players, especially younger ones, can easily be contacted by strangers by DM. Direct messaging opens up risks for sharing personal details that can be misused. Tip for parents: Chat can be disabled or heavily restricted via the parental settings. 📱Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is a significant concern on Roblox due to its interactive nature and social features. Players can communicate through chat, private messages, or voice (in certain games), which can sometimes lead to hurtful, threatening, or even illegal behaviour. 🚨Online Predators and Grooming Roblox is a social platform, which means not everyone your child interacts with is who they say they are. While Roblox has moderation tools and filters (especially for under-13 accounts), predators can still attempt to bypass filters, gain trust, and start inappropriate conversations. Despite filters and safety measures, Roblox has experienced multiple cases of grooming, making active parental supervision and strict controls essential to keeping your child safe. 📢 Age Verification & Account Safety Creating an account only requires a birthdate, which can easily be falsified. Without parental oversight, younger children may gain access to older teen or adult-level content. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Players can customise avatars, join groups, message others, and share creations. While Roblox doesn’t require personal info, usernames and chat history can be seen by others. Players may be pressured to share social media or personal details, especially in group chats. 💸 In-Game Purchases Roblox is free to play, but many experiences push for in-game purchases using Robux (Roblox’s currency). Players can spend Robux on clothing, gear, game perks, VIP access, or cosmetics. Peer pressure and limited-time offers often encourage impulsive spending. Robux must be bought with real money, and kids may not always understand the value. 🔓 Scams, Unsafe Links & Account Theft Scammers often trick kids with fake Robux offers, phishing links, or requests for login details. Players may also be tempted to click links shared in chat or on YouTube that lead to malware or account theft. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the game Familiarise yourself with the games features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. 👨👧Parental supervision Check their interactions and adjust privacy settings accordingly. Ensure you take advantage of Roblox's parental controls, which offer valuable features to help manage your child's gaming experience. 💸Limit In-App Purchases Set spending limits or disable in-app purchases on your device to avoid accidental or excessive spending. 🚨Avoid Unofficial Downloads Stick to downloading the game from official sources (like the App Store or Google Play) to avoid malware, data breaches, or compromised versions. 📢Underage Accounts This game might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targeting children and young people. 👥Manage friend requests Teach your child only to accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background—it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behaviour less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. |
