Roblox, the massive online gaming platform favored by kids and tweens, is taking major steps to enhance safety through new parental control features. These updates are designed to give parents more control over their child’s activities on Roblox, ensuring a safer gaming experience amid growing concerns about inappropriate content and online interactions.
New Parental Controls to Protect Young Players
Roblox has introduced several tools aimed at helping parents manage their child’s time and interactions on the platform. These updates allow parents to set screen time limits, monitor spending, and control messaging settings without needing to access their child’s account directly.
1. Manage Screen Time Effectively
Parents can now:
- View how much time their child spends playing Roblox.
- Set daily screen time limits that automatically restrict gameplay once reached.
2. Spending and Activity Tracking
Parents can:
- Set spending limits for in-game purchases to avoid overspending.
- Monitor their child’s in-game activities, including friend lists and interactions.
3. Messaging Restrictions for Younger Users
To protect younger users from unwanted interactions, Roblox has introduced stricter messaging policies:
- Users under 13 can no longer send direct messages by default.
- Parents can adjust these settings if necessary.
- Broadcast-only messaging is now available for younger players, limiting direct communication.
New Age-Based Content Labels
To further enhance safety, Roblox is rolling out new content labels to ensure children only access age-appropriate games and experiences. The four categories are:
- Minimal – Safe for all ages.
- Mild – Slightly mature themes.
- Moderate – Parental consent required for users under 13.
- Restricted – Includes intense violence and crude humor, suitable for older teens.
Children under 9 can only access Minimal or Mild content, ensuring they are shielded from inappropriate themes. Parents will receive alerts when their child reaches a milestone that could adjust their content access level.
Addressing Growing Safety Concerns
The new parental controls come as Roblox faces increased scrutiny over the safety of its young users. Reports have surfaced about children being exposed to harmful content and predatory behavior on the platform.
Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer, highlighted the company’s dedication to user safety: “We are committed to creating a secure and inclusive space for players of all ages. These updates are part of our ongoing efforts to make Roblox a trusted platform for families.”
Incidents That Prompted Safety Enhancements
Recent safety concerns have fueled these updates. In one alarming incident, a 10-year-old girl harmed a baby after allegedly being influenced by a Roblox user. Reports have also pointed to instances of grooming and exposure to explicit content on the platform.
A report from Hindenburg Research labeled Roblox as a “potentially dangerous environment” for children, citing concerns over inappropriate content and abusive interactions. Roblox has strongly refuted these claims, emphasizing its ongoing investments in safety measures and moderation.
What’s Next for Roblox?
While some of these features are available now, others will be implemented in the coming months. Roblox aims to continuously improve its parental controls and moderation tools to create a safer virtual space for millions of young players.
With these updates, Roblox is taking significant steps to address parental concerns and provide a secure environment for kids to enjoy gaming and socializing online.
