Digital Parenting

Introduction

Many people think Roblox is a game, but it’s more of a (gaming) platform that allows users to create and share their own virtual worlds and games with other users. 

Roblox is particularly popular among younger users, but it has a wide appeal and attracts users of all ages. As of 2021, it had 42 million active users, all of whom can create content on its platform, which is a unique risk faced by no-one else. 

Let's start with a quick description of how Roblox does age ratings because it's both unique and hugely important, as the access differs across the age ratings.

Age Ratings

Roblox introduced age verification in September 2021. At the time of writing, there are 3 age ratings:

  • 9+ / 13 and under
    • Filtered chat mode and stricter settings, creating a more controlled environment.
  • 13+
    • Accesses to additional features and less restrictions on content and experiences that can be accessed.
  • All ages
    • No restrictions.

Despite these official ratings, it must be noted that there are reports of Roblox doing little to perform user validation (see here), but there are two sides to the argument and it's clearly a hard problem at Roblox's scale. In reality, this is a common accusation against the gaming industry because they want a “low or no” barrier to entry, so they can get more players and have those players enter games or purchases without friction.

Trust & Safety

Within the gaming space, Roblox are one of the few companies that have  public documentation on“Trust Safety”, while they have a dedicated team and independent advisory board 

and the following safety features:

  • Chat Filters
    • Human and software filters to proactively remove inappropriate content
  • Customizable Parental Controls
    • Enables to restrict chat and access to age-appropriate games
  • Avatar Clothing Detection
    • Automation to ensure players are wearing appropriate attire
  • Reporting System
    • On the site and in-game, players can report inappropriate messages and content.

Unlike many gaming companies, Roblox allows players until 12 and so has very unique risks and responsibilities. As a result, Roblox is part of the kidSAFE Seal Program for Privacy.

Content Moderation

Roblox does take content moderation seriously and has a very large team on moderation, however, it's a huge challenge at their scale, in addition to all content on their platform being user-driven. The moderation portal can be found here.

There have been many well-publicized issues with inappropriate content and communications (some between adults and minors).

  • This tweet thread (from @Arumi_kai) details how inappropriate games can bypass the moderation teams and be accessible to young children.

Parental Controls

Roblox offers parental controls that help parents manage and monitor their child's activities, promoting a safer environment. These controls include:

  • Account Restrictions: Parents can limit the content their child can access based on their age.
  • Privacy Settings: Parents can control who can communicate with their child and restrict access to certain features.
  • Content Filtering: Parents can block or limit the display of inappropriate user-generated content.
  • Reporting and Blocking: Parents and children can report and block users who engage in inappropriate behavior.
  • Purchase Restrictions: Parents can prevent unauthorized or excessive spending within Roblox.

These controls give parents more say in their child's online experience and promote a safer environment.

How to Access Parental Controls

To access the parental controls in Roblox, follow these steps:

  • Log in to your Roblox account.
  • Go to the Settings page by clicking on the gear icon located at the top-right corner of the Roblox website or app.
  • In the drop-down menu, select the "Settings" option.
  • On the Settings page, you will find various sections. Look for the "Security" or "Privacy" section.
  • Within the Security or Privacy section, you will find options related to parental controls, such as account restrictions, content filtering, and privacy settings.
  • Review and adjust these settings according to your preferences and the age of your child.
  • Save the changes to apply the parental control settings to your child's Roblox account.
  • Note that the exact layout and labeling of the settings may vary slightly depending on the version of Roblox you are using. If you have any difficulties finding the parental controls, you can refer to Roblox's Help Center or contact their support for further assistance.

If you’d like to learn more:

  • this is an excellent, in-depth read of parental controls in Roblox
  • a nice guide from CommonSense media
  • official Roblox parental guide (but from 2018)

Developers

Given Roblox is a platform, their success and that of the games on Roblox, is very much dependent on the developers. Many developers are and will be kids under 18. Roblox supports these developers through the following ways:

  1. Developer Tools and Resources: Roblox provides tools like Roblox Studio and documentation to help developers create games easily.

  2. Developer Exchange Program (DevEx): Developers can convert their earned Robux into real-world currency through this program.

  3. Revenue Sharing: Developers can earn revenue from in-game purchases, game passes, and virtual item sales, with Roblox sharing a portion of the generated revenue.

  4. Community Engagement: Roblox engages with the developer community through events like the Roblox Developers Conference (RDC).

  5. Support and Feedback: Roblox offers support channels and encourages developers to provide feedback and suggestions.

Official developer information from Roblox:

It's important to note that children shouldn't develop games on Roblox to make money, but to learn and as a challenge - it's incredibly hard and unlikely they will make money as Wired discusses here. Additionally, while Roblox focus a lot on their developers, they have also received significantly negative press on how they treat developers.

If you'd like to learn more about digital safety for your children while they're online and using technology, check out my book.