Is Roblox Safe for Kids?

Despite its efforts to make the platform safer for young gamers, Roblox remains a risky space for children and teenagers. Child safety advocates point to the ease in which adults can bypass restrictions in order to chat with children as young as five, potentially luring them off-platform to even less moderated spaces, like SnapChat. Concern has also been raised about the potential for children to encounter inappropriate content and experience digital addiction.

In response to criticism, Roblox has overhauled its approach to moderation and parental controls, implementing strict age verification for users who wish to access mature content.

However, research suggests that these measures still aren’t sufficient. While the platform now blocks inappropriate content more effectively, adults can still easily register accounts as children, allowing them to communicate fairly freely with kids. And, researchers were able to bypass AI content moderation simply by changing fonts in the chat.

It remains to be seen whether new safety measures set to be implemented in early 2026 will prove more effective.

Read on for a deeper dive into Roblox’s safety features and a rundown of the risks for children.

What is Roblox and why is it so popular?

Roblox is an online platform for user-generated games, called “experiences,” each one with its own design and rules. Users can pick from millions of experiences, ranging from crowded roleplay hangouts or open-ended cooperative games to structured, solo gameplay. Or, they can design and build their own game using the tools Roblox provides.

For kids, the Roblox app is like a door into a world where they can play, socialize, and be creative. But, while that world can be rich and fun, it isn’t risk-free.

An overview of Roblox’s features

Roblox lets players customize their avatar, join a game, and text or voice chat with other people in the game.

Games can be made in Roblox Studio, which uses a beginner programming language called Lua. Roblox Studio offers a high degree of customizability, requiring coding knowledge and problem-solving skills to use.

The game has a virtual currency, Robux, which can be used for buying items, game passes, avatar accessories, abilities, and premium features. Robux can be bought with real-world money and refilled using a subscription in the Roblox app.

Why kids love Roblox

For kids, Roblox is a vast social experience where they can form bonds, achieve recognition, make memories, and express themselves. It offers cooperative and competitive experiences where they’re likely to run into the same people again and again as they play. Whether they aim to be the best or simply spend all their time chatting, they’re likely to get a sense of adventure and camaraderie from Roblox.

Potential risks and dangers of Roblox

Children may be exposed to inappropriate content, predators, and Robux scams when playing Roblox. They may not have the cognitive or emotional maturity to process these experiences in a healthy way. In response to controversy, Roblox says that it’s been working to make its platform safer.

Exposure to inappropriate content

Inappropriate content can be seen on Roblox despite measures taken by the platform to prevent it. As far back as 2014, Roblox users were reporting “sexual, violent, frightening, hateful, racist, and drug-related content” directed at children.

Over a decade later, research shows that users with underage accounts may still be exposed to racial slurs and verbalized sex acts in voice chats, and Roblox’s real-time moderation still fails to filter content effectively. One prominent YouTuber demonstrated in a recent video that inappropriate content is still very easy to come across on Roblox — even with maximum parental restrictions.

Roblox is taking steps to address these risks by implementing age verification and restricting access to certain content by age.

Why is age verification controversial?

While age verification may help address Roblox’s inappropriate content problems, the measure has sparked controversy, with some calling it an invasion of privacy, and others expressing concern over potential handling of sensitive data, as such verification may involve uploading government ID.

On the other hand, other critics point out that age verification may not go far enough. Although the measure helps prevent children from accessing content tagged as mature, it remains easy for adults to register accounts as children.

Interaction with strangers and online predators

In the past, Roblox has been criticized for facilitating interactions between minors and online predators or cyberbullies. Cyberbullying statistics show that these fears are grounded in reality. In response to criticism, the platform has overhauled the way chat works between age groups.

Age checks will soon become mandatory for all users, with users only being able to chat within their age group and similar age groups.

Under the new rules, 12-year-olds can chat only with users 15 or younger, 18-year-olds only with users 16 or older, and anyone 21 or over only with users 18 or older.

For children under 9, chat will be disabled by default, unless a parent provides consent to turn it on. Children younger than 13 will only be able to chat within experiences, and DMs will be impossible no matter what.

Previously, it was  “remarkably easy” to fake one’s age and encounter an adult using a teenage account. Online predators and cyberstalking became so common on Roblox that the problem even started showing up in international news.

In-app purchases

Users, minors included, can make in-app purchases on Roblox using Robux, the game’s virtual currency. While monthly spending limits can be set for kids, the presence of in-app purchases may inherently concern some parents.

To mitigate the risks of your child maxing out your credit card on Roblox, ensure autofill is not enabled in the app for your payment details. Otherwise, your child may be able to make a purchase with one click.

Scams

Roblox’s popularity — and its monetization — incentivizes Roblox scams. Bad actors may mount phishing attacks aimed at stealing Robux or luring players into exposing sensitive information in exchange for in-game goodies.

These scams may take the shape of fake Roblox giveaways, Discord servers containing dangerous links, and even counterfeit Roblox games.

To help them avoid Roblox scams, educate your child about the following best practices:

• Never click a link that claims it’s giving away free Robux.

• Never give your Roblox login information to anyone.

• Never send Roblox-related information to a random person.

• Never trust “item duplication” offers.

• Only make purchases and trades within the game.

• Only buy Robux within the game, on the Roblox store, or with an official gift card.

Falling for a Roblox scam can lead not only to a lot of lost money, but even hacking and identity theft. Trusted digital security software can help protect your device from malware and alert you to cleverly disguised scams.

Data collection

Roblox collects account information such as username, birthday, and email. They’ll also request that users submit a photo of an official ID and a selfie for facial age-estimation — both highly sensitive pieces of data.

When users submit a government-issued ID to Roblox for verification, Roblox doesn't keep the actual ID or any personal details. Instead, the system creates an anonymized verification token that proves the user’s age, then discards the original document.

Meanwhile, selfies are processed by a third-party verifier with strict safeguards. Roblox never handles or stores selfie data, which means this piece of data is safe if Roblox experiences a data breach. The third-party verifier immediately deletes the selfie after processing.

In terms of metadata, Roblox collects information on how players use the game (games played, time spent, in-game actions) and device information (type of device and IP address). Messages are collected only for safety moderation.

Roblox does not share any information with data brokers; they also follow COPPA and GDPR-K rules, which legally prohibit sharing children’s personal information.

Understanding Roblox’s age ratings and content labels

Roblox uses content maturity labels instead of age ratings. These block experiences based on a child’s age. Users under 13 are not able to access experiences lacking a content label.

How to make Roblox safer for kids

To make Roblox safer for kids, use Roblox’s built-in parental controls to disable chatting and in-game spending. Also, ensure your child’s in-game age is correct and educate them on internet safety. In case of a malware attack from a fake Robux offer, keep antivirus software installed to stay protected.

Set up parental controls within Roblox

Here’s how to set up parental controls on the Roblox platform:

Restrict who your child can message

Log in to your child’s account, go to Settings > Privacy, and adjust who can chat, message, or join them in games. For young players, set all options to Friends or No one.

Under Parental Controls, set a PIN to prevent your child from changing these settings back.

Restrict content maturity label access

Users under 9 can access Minimal and Mild experiences by default, but parents can disable Mild experience for their children if they so choose.

Likewise, a 13-year-old can access Moderate experiences by default, but these can be disabled in parental controls.

Block in-app purchases

In Settings > Parental Controls, you can limit or block in-app purchases for your kid and receive notifications about Robux spending. This helps prevent accidental or excessive purchases.

Review your child’s activity

Use the Activity tab to review your child’s chat logs and recent games. Then, have open discussions with them about how to behave, what information to share, and what kind of people to avoid in Roblox.

Use your system’s parental control features

• When you set up parental control on Windows, you can set screen time limits and block mature content.

• Parental control on Mac lets you set app limits, content restrictions, and downtime (periods of time when certain apps can’t be used).

• In parental control on iPhone, you can disable your child joining a multiplayer experience at all.

• Finally, Android’s parental control lets you set screen time limits, disable in-app purchases, and remotely lock the child’s device.

Educate kids about online safety

It’s becoming more and more important to teach kids about online safety. Talk to them openly about phishing, scams, and safe digital interactions. You can even sit down with your child and show them what not to click and who not to speak with online.

On platforms like Roblox, remind your child that not everyone they meet is who they say they are. They should never share personal details, click on unfamiliar links, or respond to messages asking for passwords, Robux, or verification codes. Encourage them to tell you right away if something feels off or if another user makes them uncomfortable.

Play the game with your child

The best way to understand Roblox is to play it yourself and observe how players interact with each other. Staying involved not only means spotting risks early – it also builds trust with your child.

Use dedicated cybersecurity software

Even the most internet-savvy user can fall victim to an errant click that puts their system at risk. When young children are set loose on the internet, that risk increases.

Implement a line of defense that springs into action when common sense fails. Avast Free Antivirus will scan your system, alert you to issues, and help you eradicate them — it’s far better than letting malware wreak havoc on your device and steal your personal information.

Benefits of Roblox for kids

Roblox lets children experiment with exciting, customizable games, encourages teamwork and problem solving, and gives them the tools to code and script their own creations. They build a variety of skills that they can carry into adulthood, all while playing a video game.

Encouraging creativity and coding skills

Many careers today rely on programming skills, and Roblox can serve as an early introduction to those concepts. Kids who dive into building on the platform may gain a helpful head start, driven by their own curiosity and creativity.

Roblox Studio uses Lua coding, a beginner-friendly programming language that introduces kids to the concepts of:

• Variables and functions.

• Events and triggers.

• Loops and conditionals.

• Debugging and problem solving.

Teamwork and social interaction

Many Roblox games require teamwork and communication. In one game, kids work together to care for pets and complete tasks. In another, they coordinate strategies, place defenses, and manage resources to beat waves of enemies.

For kids, Roblox is a space for social interaction. They learn how to respond to a variety of situations, whether it’s in casual chat or completing a task together. They’ll learn even more effectively with your guidance.

While the risks of cyberbullying and doxxing are undeniable, as long as you keep careful tabs on your child’s online activity, interacting with other kids on Roblox may help them build healthy social skills and learn to navigate peer interactions in a supervised, age-appropriate way.

Protect your child’s online safety today

Avast Free Antivirus offers real-time protection that can keep your child’s device safer as they play on platforms like Roblox. Download Avast now and enjoy peace of mind knowing your device and data are better protected.

FAQs

Is Roblox safe for 5-year-olds?

Enabling parental controls can help make Roblox safer for 5-year-olds, but it remains a risky environment — especially if a guardian isn’t monitoring how a young child interacts on the platform. And, studies suggest that too much screen time can have a mixed impact on children's cognitive development, potentially affecting executive functioning and academic performance down the road.

Roblox has strict account restrictions, filtered chat, and curated games for young players. Though chances are low that a five-year-old will see a game with edgy or suggestive themes, one might slip through before it’s caught by content moderation. In the end, supervised play is the best way to keep kids safe online.

What is Roblox’s age rating?

Roblox’s age rating is “10+” on the App Store and “E10+” on ESRB. Players under 13 get stricter chat filters, privacy protections, and limited communication features. Roblox’s age range is mainly 9-15 years old in terms of active user base, though there are still some 18+ and 21+ users.

How can I make Roblox safer for my child?

You can make Roblox safer by using Roblox parental controls, enabling Account Restrictions, blocking chat, limiting game access, and setting device-level controls on iPhone/Android. In case your child clicks a dangerous link, add an antivirus or safe-browsing tool — a great internet safety tip in general. Check in with your child regularly to maintain safety on Roblox.

What are the dangers of Roblox?

Roblox dangers include inappropriate content, online predators, scams, disturbing user-generated games, and pressure to make in-app purchases. Use strict parental control settings and supervise your child to avoid the dangers of Roblox.

Is Roblox good for kids?

It can be. Roblox can foster creativity, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and coding skills. Kids can build games, learn Lua scripting, and collaborate with friends. With proper parental controls, Roblox for kids can be both fun and educational.