Launched in 2006, Roblox is a popular platform for kids to play games, socialize and learn to code. It is a digital sandbox that allows kids to let their imaginations run wild and build anything from a theme park to their dream home. Schools, camps and Girl Scout troops use it to teach coding. It also offers tutorials on a proprietary program called Roblox Studio to help kids create their own games to play in a global community. Roblox says that as of Q1 2024, people visited 15 million different “Roblox experiences.”
Unlike Minecraft, which is sold in stores and online, most of Roblox’s games are created by the users. This means there is a greater potential for inappropriate content or behaviors to occur, such as simulated sex, violence and graphic images. Parents should be aware of this risk and monitor their kids’ gaming activities closely.
The good news is that Roblox recently rolled out a number of safety upgrades designed to protect younger players. These include filtering and blocking of offensive language and ensuring avatars (game characters) are fully clothed. In addition, kids under 13 are no longer able to send private messages and parents can control communication settings remotely.
How to Create and Sell Items on the Roblox Marketplace
While the new features are a positive step, parents should still set daily screen time limits, encourage non-digital activities and model healthy technology use. They should also make sure their kids are using the parental controls to limit in-game purchases and monitor their friends’ lists, and be on alert for potential predators who may target children on the site.