As the popularity of the Roblox app continues to grow, parents are left wondering if they should give their kids free rein on this new 3-D gaming platform.Â
It attracts over 64 million players per month, making it a great networking tool for children to be innovative, but are there any risks?Â
What should you look out for as a parent? In this article, we cover the 5 most important things you need to know as a parent when it comes to Roblox. Let’s dive in.
What is Roblox?
Roblox is an online gaming platform that gives users the freedom to create their own games and play games created by others.Â
Although it’s been around for more than 15 years, only in the last couple of years has its popularity skyrocketed. The games played within the platform are known as “experiences” and the nature of them can vary immensely.
Everything from raising your own pets to solving a murder mystery and even climbing 1000 stairs (yes, that’s a game) exists on Roblox – and that’s just a fraction of what’s available.Â
The popular gaming site boasts more than 40 million games at this time and is growing every week.
1. How Old Do You Need To Be To Play Roblox?
Roblox does not specify a minimum age requirement for its players.Â
Although Roblox can raise safety concerns it’s actually a great place for kids to stretch their creativity and collaborate with other kids in a playful environment.Â
Part of creating games on Roblox is learning how to code, which Roblox teaches and supports in its Roblox Studio. Coding is a highly in-demand skill that, if your child decided to learn it, could set them up for a successful career down the road.Â
Due to the learning benefits Roblox offers, Common Sense Media says it’s appropriate for ages 13+, but statistics show that more than half of its users are under 13 years of age as of 2020.
2. Roblox’s Chat Feature Blocks Inappropriate and Sensitive Information
The platform is meant to be an open playing field, birthing creativity and encouraging experimentation with design and innovation.Â
All of this is great and crucial for one’s development but it can still pose some risks. For example, all users have access to the chat feature on Roblox. Unfortunately, this can be a target for people with malicious intent, like predators or bullies.Â
The good news is that Roblox embraces a chat filter that detects and prevents inappropriate content from squeezing by such as swear words, self-identifiable information (address and phone numbers), and words that suggest bullying is taking place.
3. User-Generated & Multiplayer Games Can Lead To Inappropriate Content
When you have a platform with user-generated content there’s always a chance that inappropriate language or behavior will slip through.Â
While sex, violence, and blood can be concerning for parents, there’s something else that can cause potential harm. Multiplayer games allow users to play online with other people.Â
With chat features being available for all users, it makes it easy for potential predators and bullies to target youth.Â
As mentioned before, there is a chat filter to detect and halt inappropriate conversations, but it’s hard to know just how effective this feature is in all instances.
Get the Top 5 Resources Kids Use to Learn Code
These resources are organized by cost, difficulty level, and learning style to help you choose the right one.
4. Get Familiar With The Parental Controls That Roblox Offers
As a parent, you have more power than you think when it comes to influencing your child’s gaming activity. For example, you’re able to turn on Account Restrictions that will block any other user from sending your child a message on Roblox.Â
You can set this up by logging into the account, navigating to Settings > Privacy and from there you can adjust Contact Settings and Other Settings.Â
If your child is 12 or under you can allow only Friends to contact them or No One at all. If they’re 13 or older, you have more options to choose from.
5. Remind Your Kids To Follow Safe Online Practices
If you only remember one tip from this entire article, let it be this. One of the most effective ways to protect your child from harmful content and activity online is to educate them.Â
Teach your kids to chat only with people they know and can identify. Don’t accept or reply to messages from strangers and never hand out personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.).Â
If someone asks them to move the conversation off of Roblox and onto another platform, that’s a major red flag and your child needs to know how to recognize this.
Takeaway
Allowing your child to play Roblox poses some risks, as with any online game, but by taking the time to familiarize yourself with parental controls and educate your child on safe online practices, you can limit the chance of inappropriate situations taking place.Â
It’s easy for online games to get a bad rap but it’s important to know that Roblox isn’t just a gaming platform, it’s a learning platform, too.Â
It teaches kids how to code, how to harness their imagination and build something from scratch, and can even give them a taste of the entrepreneurial life by allowing game creators to monetize their creations.Â
Do you have a teen who loves playing Roblox and wants to learn how to code? Enroll Them In a Beginner-Friendly Coding Workshop!
LogoLife, an online learning company that prepares teens for a profitable career in tech and entrepreneurship, is hosting a live Teen Coding Workshop.Â
It’s 100% online and kids will learn the basics of coding, engage with other like-minded teens, and design 1 Roblox game in just 2 days. No prior experience is required, just a willingness to learn and explore your creativity! Click here to read more and sign up.
Get the Top 5 Resources Kids Use to Learn Code
These resources are organized by cost, difficulty level, and learning style to help you choose the right one.
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