Roblox

What is Roblox?

Roblox is not one game — it is an app with millions of user-created games (“experiences”). Children can play, create their own games, chat and trade with virtual currency (Robux). It is one of the most popular apps for children under 13.

Age rating: App Store rating is 13+. Children of any age can create accounts with parental consent, but capabilities are restricted by age group (under 9, 9–12, 13–17).

Why do kids like it?

• Creativity. Children can build their own worlds and games. It’s like Lego, but digital and social.
• Social. They play with friends and meet others. For many children, this is where their friend group hangs out.
• Free to start. The game is free, but Robux (the virtual currency) costs real money.
• Variety. Millions of games means there is always something new.

What are the real risks?

• Chat with strangers. Experience chat is on by default for children aged 9 and over, though limited to their age group. Under-9 accounts have chat disabled by default. Despite these controls, children can still encounter strangers within their age group.
• User-created content varies enormously. Some games are made for children. Others have adult content, violence or disturbing themes — and the filtering is not perfect.
• Voice chat is available for age-verified users 13 and older. Age groups are separated by default, but the system relies on age verification being accurate.
• Robux scams. Children are tricked into giving away login credentials or paying for fake Robux generators.
• Grooming. Adults may attempt to build trust with children through in-game chat or private messages, sometimes moving the conversation to other apps.

Settings to check

1. Link a parent account: Create your own Roblox account, verify your age, and link it to your child’s account via Settings → Parental Controls. This gives you control from your own device.
2. Content maturity: Under Parental Controls → Content Restrictions, set the content maturity level (Minimal, Mild, or Moderate). You can also block specific experiences by name.
3. Communication: Under Parental Controls → Communication, control who your child can chat with in experiences and via direct messages. You can turn chat off entirely for younger children.
4. Screen time: Set daily time limits under Parental Controls → Screen Time. You can also see which experiences your child plays most.
5. Spending: Set spending limits and notifications under Parental Controls → Spending Restrictions.

How to talk about it

“Can you show me what you’re playing in Roblox? I’d like to understand what you enjoy about it.”

“Do you talk to people you don’t know in the games? What do you chat about?”

“If someone in a game asks you to chat on another app or share personal information — what would you do?”

Last reviewed: April 2026