Child safety on Roblox

The safety of children on Roblox, a popular multiplayer game platform managed by the American video game company Roblox Corporation, has been a big topic of discussion and concern. Many people worry about things like exposure to harmful content, dangerous adults, political extremes, and unfair financial practices on the platform. Because of these concerns, some countries have even banned Roblox. As of August 2025, the company is facing several lawsuits in the United States for not doing enough to protect children.

About 40% of Roblox players are under 13 years old, and in 2020, Roblox said that half of all American children used the platform. Sadly, some bad groups have tried to trick and hurt children on Roblox, leading to arrests. Roblox has been criticized for how it handles in-game purchases and promotions, as well as for how it treats young game developers.

To help keep children safer, Roblox has made several changes. In 2024, games called “social hangouts” were only allowed for players over 13, and the platform added controls to stop messages to younger users. Roblox also changed its friend system to check ages more carefully. In 2025, games with private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms were limited to users aged 17 and above. Parents can also turn off in-game purchases and choose which games their children can play.

Background

Roblox is an online game platform and game creation system developed by Roblox Corporation. It lets players create and share their own games, called "experiences." These games can be about many different things, like role-playing or other fun activities. Roblox is free to play, but players can buy a special currency called "Robux" to get extra items or special games.

In 2025, Roblox had over 100 million players every day, and many young children love to play there. About half of all American kids under 16 play Roblox, and around 40% of all players are younger than 13. The game is meant to be family-friendly, but because players create the games, it can be hard to make sure everything is safe for everyone. Some groups suggest parents help guide younger players.

Keeping children safe

Roblox, a popular online game platform, has faced concerns about keeping children safe. Some groups on and off the platform have tried to trick children into talking to adults who want to hurt them. In 2022, a 13-year-old girl was taken from her home after someone she met on Roblox convinced her to leave. In 2024, reports showed that since 2018, at least 24 people in the United States were arrested for trying to take or hurt children they met on Roblox.

Some games on Roblox have been criticized for allowing users to act out roles that are not suitable for children. These games often move to other chat services where they can talk more freely. Some players use secret codes to talk about these games. In 2025, Roblox invited some game makers to a special event, but some people were upset because one of the invitees made games with romantic or adult themes. Roblox later removed this person from the event and banned their account.

Further information: Roblox–Schlep controversy, and Chris Hansen § Dangerous Games: Investigating Roblox

Some players have tried to help keep children safe by reporting people they think are tricking children online. One such person, known online as Ruben Sim, shared what he believed were harmful messages made by a game developer and sent them to Roblox. Roblox later sued Sim, saying he spread false information and caused trouble. Sim agreed to pay a fine and stop playing Roblox.

In August 2025, Roblox sent a notice to a YouTuber named Schlep, who had been making videos about people trying to trick children online. Roblox said his actions broke their rules and made the platform unsafe. They banned Schlep and his group from Roblox, which caused many players and creators to leave in protest. Some people, including a U.S. representative, asked for the CEO of Roblox to step down. Schlep plans to fight back in court. TV journalist Chris Hansen made a special report about child safety on Roblox, which came out in February 2026.

Financial exploitation

Roblox has faced criticism for its ways of doing business, especially how it handles money matters that can affect children. Some experts say the platform makes it too easy for kids to spend money on small, quick purchases without their parents knowing. Many games on Roblox include special boxes that give random rewards when opened — similar to games of chance that can encourage risky behavior.

In 2022, a group asked officials to look into Roblox for not clearly showing when ads were part of the games. As a result, Roblox started hiding some ads from users under 13 years old. However, this didn’t stop all hidden ads, which led to more concerns from groups that protect children’s rights online.

Political extremism and violence

Roblox has sometimes shown content that supports extreme political views. Some games let players act out roles that copy real-life violent events or show harmful stereotypes. Players have also used avatars and tools to share symbols that spread hate.

Unfortunately, some people have used the platform to plan or talk about harmful actions. In rare cases, this led to real-life problems for some players. The company works to remove these kinds of games when they find them, but it can be difficult to catch everything.

Moderation and safety updates

In October 2020, Roblox began using more staff to watch over the games and keep things safe. By 2024, they had about 3,000 people working just on safety. Roblox lets parents turn off spending in the game and choose which games their children can play. Game makers must fill out a form to help decide if a game is okay for younger players or needs older players.

In late 2024 and through 2025, Roblox made several changes to help keep younger players safer. They stopped some social games for users under 13 and added new controls for parents. Younger kids can only see simpler games unless a parent allows more. Roblox also planned to change how friends are added and chat works, using age checks to make sure kids are talking to people their age. These changes aim to create a safer place for children while letting families decide what’s right for them.

Legal actions and regulation

Further information: Censorship of Roblox, Roblox § Restrictions by country, and Roblox Corporation § Legal disputes

Many countries have taken steps to restrict or ban Roblox due to concerns about keeping children safe. In Australia, officials have asked Roblox to improve its safety features after reports that children could access harmful content or talk to strangers online. Similar concerns have been raised in parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

In the United States, several legal actions have been taken against Roblox. Lawsuits claim the platform did not do enough to protect children from harmful content or people who want to hurt children. Some states have reached agreements with Roblox to improve safety measures and support child safety programs. These actions show how important it is for online platforms to keep children safe and how governments around the world are working to address these issues.