A Step-By-Step Guide To Roblox Safety Features For Kids

Your kid loves Roblox, but is this digital playground really as safe as it seems? Sure, it looks like just another outlet for creativity, where users build their own games and forge connections with other players. But dig a little deeper, and you hit the not-so-fun side of this popular platform. From cyberbullying and unwanted messages to scams, it's no surprise that parents sometimes hesitate.

The concern is more than justified, according to David Rabsch, Director of Cybertip.ca at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. Despite its massive popularity, he points out that Roblox receives a staggering number of user reports and moderates far more abuse cases than most realize.

"For example, in the United States, Roblox self-reported over 24,500 cases of confirmed or suspected child sexual exploitation on their service," he tells Today's Parent. "Since the start of the year, we’ve received about 65 reports from victims involving the use of Roblox—these are cases that come to our attention when kids choose to disclose abuse."

Does that mean Roblox should be off-limits in your household? Not necessarily. A better strategy is to get involved: set up the right safety features before your child logs in, and you'll have far more control over what happens next.

If you're not sure where to start, our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about Roblox's safety settings. From using built-in tools to knowing when it's time to involve law enforcement, you'll have what you need to feel more at ease whenever your kid logs in.

Step 1: Understand what Roblox really is

If you think of Roblox as just one game, guess again. As Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts, explains, it functions more like a creative hub where users can build, share, and play millions of games designed by other players.

“Roblox is less a game than a platform that gives players access to an enormous number of different experiences, and even the tools to create their own,” he says. “It also has social features, like in‑game chat, that help players connect.”

That combination of creativity and community is exactly what keeps kids coming back. And when you add in Robux, the platform's official currency that can be earned and spent across games, the appeal only grows.

But connection always comes with a trade-off. Yes, the social side of Roblox makes it engaging, but it also involves risks. Johnson points to cyberbullying and "griefing" (when veteran players target newcomers) as common issues, along with concerns of interacting with strangers online.

Private messages add another layer of worry. According to Rabsch, “In the context of a gaming environment, we see many young children building online friendships, sometimes with strangers, through networking and messaging features. And parents often have no idea this is happening."

Step 2: Lock down the account before play

Link your account

While Roblox raises safety concerns for parents, Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, Head of Parental Policy at Roblox, emphasizes that the platform offers built-in tools to help families manage their kids’ experiences.

The first step, she explains, is for parents to create their own Roblox account and link it to their child’s—replacing the old Parent PIN and allowing them to manage settings from their own device.

‘We offer robust controls that let parents and caregivers decide what content their kids can access and who they can communicate with,’ Milovidov says.”

Explore the platform

After linking accounts, parents can view and update parental controls for their child, as well as access insights like daily screen time and information on who their child connects with on the platform.

Milovidov also recommends that parents go one step further by exploring Roblox themselves. "I encourage parents to spend time exploring Roblox firsthand to gain insight into the games, safety tools, and community features," she suggests.

Use the correct birthdate

Next, Milovidov advises creating a Roblox account for your child using their correct birthdate. This step is crucial, as it unlocks age-based filters that adjust what content your child can access.

"If the birthday on a child’s account is inaccurate, they may have access to content and features that aren’t appropriate for their age," warns Milovidov.

Set strong security features

After setting up the account, parents should also set a strong password and enable two-step verification to protect their child's account.

"Using a strong password and enabling two-step verification are additional layers of security that can help prevent your child from overriding the parental controls," Milovidov explains. "This is especially helpful for preventing unauthorized access to your or your child’s account if your password is ever compromised."

Check privacy settings

Parents can also use privacy settings to limit who can chat, message, or invite their child.

"For Roblox users under the age of 13, parents can use parental controls to manage who their child communicates with and block specific friends or experiences directly from their own account," says Milovidov. "For users 13 and up, Roblox has a robust system of tools to limit communication between adults and minors to those who know each other in real life, and our recent age verification process is vital to that system."

Manage spending

Equally important is setting spending limits for Robux.

"On Roblox, for children under 13, parents can set a monthly spending limit for Robux and subscriptions to individual experiences," explains Milovidov. "When a child reaches their limit, they’ll receive a notification and won’t be able to make more purchases that month. Parents can also enable notifications about their child’s spending with Parental Insights, available for children under 13 and teens on Roblox."

Keep the conversation going

Once all protections are in place, Milovidov encourages parents to keep an open dialogue. Conversations about online safety and responsible play are just as vital as the tech tools themselves.

‘This includes talking to your child about not sharing passwords—even with friends. Ask about their favourite games, and use that as an opportunity to discuss screen balance and what amount of online play feels right for your family," she says.

Safety checklist

• Use your child's correct birthdate to enable age-appropriate filters.
• Choose a strong password and enable two-step verification for extra security.
• Link your parent account to your child's for easy access to controls.
• Review privacy settings to control who can interact with your child.
• Set monthly spending limits and turn on notifications to monitor spending.

Step 3: Use Roblox’s built-in safety tools

Roblox has several built-in safety features to give parents peace of mind, including parental controls, age verification, and easy-to-use reporting tools.

If you're most concerned about keeping your child out of games that may feel too mature, Yaron Litwin, a digital parenting expert and CMO of Canopy, recommends starting with content restrictions.

Start with content restrictions

"Once you're logged in, go to Settings, then Parental Controls for your child’s account," Litwin explains. "Under Settings You Manage, you'll see options for Content Restrictions and Content Maturity, including a slider that lets you set what content your child can access."

Don't skip chat filters

While you're already in there, Litwin recommends switching on Roblox's chat filters, which automatically adjust based on the user's age. These filters don't just weed out certain words and phrases—they're also designed to keep kids from sharing personal information with strangers.

If another player is bothering your child, Roblox makes it easy for parents to take action. "Parents who link their account to their child’s can block or report other users directly in parental controls," says Litwin. "Go to Connections, then Manage. Find the user, tap the three dots next to their name, and hit Block. You can also report players who violate Roblox’s policies."

Keep an eye on Robux

Spending is another area for parents to watch. Roblox’s in-game currency, Robux, can add up quickly, but controls are built in.

“Log into the account where Robux were purchased, click the Roblox icon to check the balance, then go back to Settings under Parental Controls,” advises Litwin. “There, you’ll find Monthly Spending Limits, where you can set and update a cap as needed."

Use the parent dashboard

For a broader view, the Parent Dashboard is worth setting up. It lets parents monitor activity, manage permissions, and set screen time limits without needing constant access to their child's device. They can also PIN-protect the account, review friend lists, and adjust privacy settings when needed.

Explore settings together

Still, the most powerful safety step isn't buried in the menu—it’s having a quick check-in with your child. Litwin says spending just 15 minutes exploring these features together can go a long way toward teaching them how to report and block other users.

“And most importantly, make sure they feel comfortable coming to you if they encounter anything concerning on Roblox,” he adds.

Step 4: Know the risks your child will face

Inappropriate content

Once parents are familiar with safety tools, Litwin says the bigger concern is recognizing online risks. That could mean strangers trying to reach out, or kids entering games and chats made for older users.

And even with Roblox's filters in place, nothing online is ever foolproof. Litwin explains that because new content is constantly added to the platform, some inappropriate material can slip through until it's flagged or reported.

Predators and grooming

Another major concern is online predators. “Predators can pose as your kids’ peers or even friends," Litwin warns. "They might try to coerce children through sextortion or attempt to find out where your child is located."

Cyberbullying and doxxing

But online predators aren't the only risk. Cyberbullying, harassment, and even doxxing are also serious concerns.

"Your kids’ schoolmates can ‘grief,’ ‘doxx,’ and generally harass your children on Roblox—whether they’re anonymous or not,” Litwin says. “Like all cyberbullying, the worst part is that it can happen around the clock, far beyond the schoolyard. Victims have nowhere to run and no time to rest."

Scams and overspending

Money schemes are another big concern. Scams and phishing attempts are rampant, aimed squarely at kids who use Robux.

"On Roblox, scammers may impersonate platform employees, launch fake giveaways, and create forms that look like Roblox login pages but actually steal account information," Litwin cautions.

That’s why setting spending limits and a PIN for purchases is so important. "I strongly recommend against letting your kid use your credit card at all—they should come to you for every purchase," he adds.

Key risks checklist:

• Inappropriate content slipping through filters.

• Online predators posing as peers or friends.

• Sextortion and attempts to get personal information.

• Cyberbullying, harassment, and doxxing.

• Scam and phishing (fake giveaways, impersonation, or login traps).

• Overspending, especially without purchase PINs or limits.

Step 5: Monitor and stay involved

Instead of shutting down Roblox completely, it's better to take an active role in your child's activity on the platform.

That might mean playing games together to see what captures their interest, or checking their friend list and in-game activity using the platform’s built-in safety tools. By staying involved, you’re more likely to catch red flags before anything snowballs into a bigger issue.

Another smart move: keep devices where family time happens, like the living room or kitchen. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends these shared spaces because they make it easier to check in, support, and supervise what's happening on-screen.

But honestly, nothing beats talking about Roblox with your kid. Simple questions—like, “What game are you building?” or “Who’s in your chat today?”—can spark real conversations about how they’re spending time and who they’re connecting with. It's also smart to explain why keeping personal information private matters, and to talk through the risks of scams or stranger interactions.

Step 6: Empower your child with digital literacy

Teaching your kids digital literacy might be the most important step of all. Amy Bunn, online safety expert at McAfee, says it not only equips kids to navigate risks and understand safety warnings but also empowers them to manage their screen time and use platforms in healthier, more responsible ways.

She suggests starting by teaching kids how to spot and report bad behaviour online. "The best approach is a mix of open conversations and the right tech. Regular, judgment-free chats about bullying, scams, or suspicious behaviour let kids know they can always come to you."

But digital literacy isn't just about reporting trolls. As kids grow and spend more time online, Bunn encourages parents to openly discuss privacy and the dangers of oversharing.

"Kids, tweens, and teens can be especially vulnerable online because they’re still learning to spot risks," warns Bunn. "Scammers know this, and often trick young gamers into sharing personal details, clicking dangerous links, or falling for fake rewards. Sharing too much can also make kids easier targets for bullying or impersonation. The numbers tell the same story: McAfee’s latest consumer survey found 3 in 10 kids reported experiencing gaming scams or manipulation, and that number jumps to more than four in 10 boys ages 13 to 15."

The good news? Parents can set the tone early. Bunn recommends ongoing conversations about what’s safe to share and what should stay private, plus checking in regularly as kids’ online worlds expand.

"Even small reminders, like pausing before posting or asking who might see the information, can make a big difference," she says. "And perhaps most important, when kids know you’re open to their questions, they’re a lot less likely to hide problems or mistakes."

Digital literacy checklist:

• Ignore offers for free stuff and cheat codes—likely scams.
• Block or report anyone who pressures or bullies.
• Check suspicious links with an adult.
• Consider tools like McAfee’s Scam Detector to flag risky links.

Step 7: Know when to get help

Playing Roblox should be fun, but sometimes things get stressful—whether it’s cyberbullying, unwanted messages, or encountering unsettling content. That's why it's important for kids to know who to turn to for help, so Bunn recommends parents have a straightforward plan.

"If something online upsets them, they should come to you or another trusted adult right away," she says. "Then, save any concerning messages or screenshots as a record, block the person causing problems, and report the incident to the platform. If harassment continues or feels serious, it’s time to involve the school."

If things escalate—like threats, signs of exploitation, or potential real-world risks—law enforcement should be contacted. "If a parent or child believes there’s an immediate danger, they should contact their local police," says Rabsch. "Otherwise, for serious online threats or exploitation, reaching out to Cybertip.ca is recommended."

Resources Checklist:

• Cybertip.ca: Report child exploitation and get expert safety guidance.
• Get Cyber Safe: Find up-to-date gaming safety tips from the Government of Canada.
• Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P): Get resources and support for families using online platforms like Roblox.

What's Coming Up Next for Roblox Safety?

Roblox is rolling out new safeguards to keep its community safer, says Milovidov. By the end of the year, anyone using chat or voice features will need to pass updated age checks.

"We're expanding age estimation technology to all users on our platform, combining facial analysis, ID verification, and parental consent to better confirm someone’s age—rather than just relying on what people type when they make an account,” Milovidov explains. "This will limit direct communication between adults and minors unless they know each other outside Roblox, and make sure everyone can only access features suited to their age group."

On the ratings front, Roblox just announced a partnership with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), the group behind global game ratings standards. Soon, regional ratings —like ESRB for the US or PEGI for much of Europe—will appear where users once saw Roblox's own content labels. "Families will see familiar ratings that match their local standards, making it easier to spot age-appropriate games," adds Milovidov.

Roblox also launched Trusted Connections for users 13 and older, letting teens communicate more openly with friends and family they know in real life. Parents can access new tools, too: “With Parental Insights, families can see who their teens have connected with, giving them more visibility and peace of mind,” Milovidov notes.

The bottom line

Roblox can absolutely be a fun and safe space for kids—so long as parents and caregivers stay involved.

Online safety isn't a one-and-done task; it works best when supported by ongoing conversations about what's happening on the screen and who's joining in.

With regular check-ins, your child can explore Roblox with confidence—and you can feel reassured they're navigating this digital world safely.

Experts:

• David Rabsch is the Director of Cybertip.ca, Canada's official tipline for reporting online child abuse and exploitation, operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
• Matthew Johnson is the Director of Education at MediaSmarts, a non-profit organization dedicated to digital and media literacy for Canadian homes, schools, and communities.
• Yaron Litwin is a digital parenting expert and CMO of Canopy, an app focused on online safety for families.
• Amy Bunn is an online safety expert at McAfee, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions.
• Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov is the Head of Parental Policy at Roblox.