WHAT’S GOING ON WITH ROBLOX?
As of October 2025, several countries have imposed restrictions or completely banned Roblox, citing child sexual exploitation concerns. On November 6th, Ken Paxton became the 3rd US State Attorney General to file a lawsuit against the platform, for “flagrantly ignoring” safety laws and “deceiving parents” about the risks associated with it. He joined thousands of Canadian and American families – including 400 pending lawsuits – claiming that the platform is host to child luring, sextortion, financial exploitation, and addictive game design.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
Currently, Roblox allows direct communication between users of all ages, meaning predators can freely message minors. While Roblox does have moderation features—such as chat filters, limits on messaging for under‑13 accounts, and restrictions on sharing images or certain links—these safeguards are not comprehensive and can be bypassed. Direct communication, in tandem with the ability to exchange Robux (Roblox’s in-game currency), and to gift in-game items, makes it easy for predatory users to befriend and groom children into sexual exploitation.
HOW HAS ROBLOX RESPONDED?
Roblox told the BBC it was “disappointed” by the most recent lawsuit announced by the Texas Attorney General, arguing that it depicts Roblox in a “sensationalized” way.
However, in response to the backlash, the platform did introduce changes. Just this month, Roblox rolled out a new AI age-estimation technology and announced that by January 2026, all users will be required to submit a “video selfie” and undergo an AI-age-verification to access the chat feature. This tool will also categorize users into age groups: under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, and 21+. They will then be permitted to chat only with players within their age group or related age groups (i.e., users from the age category above and/or below them).
SOUNDS GREAT! WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS?
Some experts have expressed concern over the accuracy of the age estimator, which has been shown to wildly underestimate or overestimate users’ age on other platforms. In addition, the age estimator can be tricked with fake ‘selfie videos’. For example, instead of recording themselves, an adult could upload a video of a younger person. This means the tool may not reliably stop adults from pretending to be children and contacting kids online.
HOW CAN I MAKE ROBLOX SAFER FOR MY CHILD?
Safety Features Available
Roblox provides certain controls that parents can use to manage their child’s activity. These tools can reduce risks but they are not bulletproof and should be paired with ongoing conversations. More on this later.
- Use Parental Controls: Linking your account with your child’s, let’s set limits on their limit their screentime, Robux spending, and communication. You can also view their friends list, receive activity updates, and adjust settings as they get older.
- Disable “Chat”: Roblox offers “Experience chat” (communication within a game) and Direct chat (private one‑on‑one). Both can be turned off under Parental Controls > Communication > Experience chat.
- Disable “Party”: This feature allows your child to join private one-on-one games or group play sessions. To turn it off, go to Parental Controls > Communication > Party. From here, you can disable “Party” (one-on-one games) and “Group Party” (up to 6 members).
Other Built-In Features
- Limited messaging for users under 13: As of November 2024, direct messaging is disabled by default for under‑13 accounts unless parents give permission.
- Chat filters: Roblox moderates inappropriate language and personal information, though users sometimes find ways around these filters.
- Link filters:cannot share links to personal social media accounts, but links to other platforms like YouTube, X, and Twitch are permitted.
- Image ban: Roblox blocks image and video sharing in chat. This is why predators may encourage the child to switch to other platforms, such as Discord, where images can be exchanged.
- Content labels: Games are labeled from “Minimal” (mild violence, light unrealistic blood, occasional mild fear) to “Restricted” (intense violence, romantic themes, strong language). Restricted games are intended for ages 17+, but reports show younger children have been able to access them.
WHY CONVERSATIONS MATTER JUST AS MUCH, IF NOT MORE
While these features can help reduce risks, they cannot guarantee safety. The most effective protection comes from open, ongoing conversations with your child about what they see, experience, and chat about online. Discuss the risks and warning signs of online exploitation, and make sure they know what to do if they ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable: block, report, and tell a trusted adult.
For guidance on how to navigate these conversations, click here.