Key Takeaways
- Roblox now has nearly 80 million daily active users – and 39-40% of users are under age 13.
- Roblox recently released new parental control options, with parents now able to manage controls remotely from their own devices after linking accounts.
- New parental dashboard includes: daily screen time limits with automatic lockout, friends list viewing and blocking, monthly spending limits, specific game blocking, and detailed activity insights.
- Content on Roblox is now labeled by maturity level, not age. Four categories (Minimal, Mild, Moderate, Restricted) give parents more precise control.
- A new AI-powered safety system called “Sentinel” now monitors 6+ billion messages daily through Roblox’s system.
Ask any kid you know, and they’ll tell you: Roblox is one of the most popular – and fastest-growing – online multiplayer games on the market.
In the past few years, the platform has reached nearly 80 million daily active users – with a wide majority of those including teens and children.
The game has evolved quite a bit since it’s early rise to fame during the pandemic, and so too have its parental safety features.
More recently, Roblox introduced major updates to its parental controls. These new features make it easier than ever for parents to monitor activity, set limits, and protect their children while they play.
This is an important update – because while Roblox can be a fun and creative way for kids to learn and build community, there are plenty of concerns that come along with a massive online multiplayer environment.
Let’s take a closer look at Roblox’s new parental control system, see what’s changed, and show you exactly how to set up protections for your children.
What Is Roblox?
Roblox is an online multiplayer game platform that allows players to create avatars and play games with other users in a generated online environment.
The game and its environment were developed and launched by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel in 2004, with public release in 2006. But it was during the COVID-19 shutdown that Roblox saw a massive rise in growth – particularly from parents looking for ways to entertain their children.
In Roblox, players can create their own games (called “experiences”) or play games created by other users. They can also chat with other players, join groups, and buy virtual items in the game.
Naturally, this type of free and open gameplay with others raises all kinds of concerns and risks – especially with the large child and teenager population.
What Are The Dangers Of Roblox?
As with any online platform, Roblox has some risks that are well worth considering before you let your child join and play.
In recent years, Roblox has invested heavily in addressing these concerns – but knowing the potential dangers helps parents use the safety tools effectively.
Inappropriate Content
One major risk with Roblox is that children may encounter inappropriate content – including explicit language, sexual content, or violent behavior.
While Roblox’s moderation team and new AI systems work 24/7 to remove inappropriate material, the platform’s user-generated nature means new content constantly appears.
Plus, some games feature combat with weapons that parents may find concerning for younger children.
Cyberbullying
Roblox is all about engaging with one another online – and that comes with risks. Cyberbullying is a major risk, and children can be harassed, threatened, or humiliated by other players without much oversight.
Plus, the anonymous nature of online gaming can make it difficult to identify who is responsible. Roblox’s new AI monitoring systems have been designed to help flag and address bullying behavior more effectively.
Online Predators
Another major concern is online predators. Some may use multiplayer games to target children by pretending to be other kids or trying to obtain personal information like addresses or phone numbers in exchange for “digital gifts.”
Roblox’s 2025 safety systems now scan billions of messages daily to detect and report predatory behavior to authorities. However, there’s still a risk that a shrewd individual could get past these checks.
Some critics believe that Roblox safety features are a bare minimum, done for appearance sake, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently accusing the platform of being “a breeding ground for predators”, which prioritizes “paedophiles and corporate profit”, over child safety.
While Roblox rejects all such accusations, pointing towards recent and ongoing updates to their safety features, at time of writing the case is ongoing.
Microtransactions
Roblox uses a virtual currency called Robux for in-game purchases like avatar clothes or special abilities.
The game is designed to make players want these upgrades and items – as they promise to improve gameplay and avatars.
The issue is that many children can’t understand the value of real money and could overspend, potentially creating financial difficulties. The new parental controls now include spending limit features to address this concern.
How is Roblox Addressing the Risks?
The risks are real – and, fortunately, Roblox has made substantial investments in safety technology throughout 2024 and 2025.
The platform now employs “Sentinel,” an AI system that scans over six billion chat messages per day to flag potential child endangerment or predatory behaviors in real time. This system has already resulted in over 1,200 reports to national authorities in 2025.
The company combines AI review with thousands of human moderators in a layered approach that blocks harmful content before users even encounter it. Roblox has also open-sourced this technology so other companies can benefit from these advances.
Since early 2025, Roblox has launched over 100 new safety initiatives, reflecting ongoing collaboration with child safety experts and extensive research with parents and kids.
Roblox Parental Controls: What’s New
The biggest change to Roblox parental controls came in November 2024: parents can now manage their child’s account remotely from their own device, rather than through the child’s account.
After linking accounts, parents access a dedicated dashboard with insights into screen time, friend lists, and activity.
They can set daily screen-time limits that lock out Roblox access when reached, block specific games or friends, and control chat settings – all without needing physical access to their child’s device.
Roblox also replaced age-based content ratings with four content maturity labels: Minimal, Mild, Moderate, and Restricted.
These new categories helps parents gain more precise control over the types of experiences their children can access – but it does require some parental engagement to make the most of the tools.
How To Set Up Parental Controls On Roblox
With the new updates to Roblox parental controls, it may be helpful to revisit how they are set up for your child.
Though you can now monitor and change the parental settings from your device remotely, you’ll still need to link your Roblox account to your child’s account. Here’s how:
Setting Up Your Parent Account & Linking
Step 1: Create or Log Into Your Own Roblox Account
You’ll need your own Roblox account separate from your child’s. If you don’t have one, create a free account on the site directly.
Step 2: Verify Your Identity
To access parental controls, you must verify yourself as a parent through credit card or government-issued ID. This prevents children from circumventing the controls, and ensures that you are the parent or guardian of the user you’re setting controls for.
Step 3: Link to Your Child’s Account
In the Roblox app, click the “More” icon (three dots) in the upper-right corner, then select “Settings.”
Click on “Parental Controls” and follow the instructions to link your account to your child’s. You’ll need your child’s account credentials to complete this initial setup.
Step 4: Access the Parental Dashboard
Once linked, you can access all parental controls from your own device through your account settings.
Key Controls You Can Set
Content Maturity Settings
Roblox now uses four content labels instead of age ratings, and parents can adjust these settings based on their child’s maturity level:
- Minimal: Suitable for all ages with mild impact
- Mild: May contain mild violence or crude humor
- Moderate: May contain moderate violence, crude humor, or romantic themes
- Restricted: For verified users 17+ only, may contain strong violence or crude humor
Users under 9 can only access Minimal and Mild content by default; Moderate content requires parent approval. Users under 13 need parent permission to access certain features in Moderate experiences.
Screen Time Limits
You can also set daily time limits for how long your child can play Roblox. When they reach their limit, they’ll receive a notification and be locked out until the next day.
Chat & Communication Controls
For users under 13, direct messaging outside of games is now disabled by default and cannot be changed.
Parents can control whether children can use in-game chat features. Public broadcast messages within games remain available but are heavily monitored by AI systems.
Friends Management
You can view your child’s complete friends list and block specific friends if concerns arise. This gives parents visibility into their child’s social connections on the platform.
Game/Experience Access
Parents can block specific games or experiences if they contain content you find inappropriate, giving granular control beyond the content maturity settings.
Spending Limits
Set monthly limits on how much Robux your child can purchase or spend, helping prevent unexpected charges and teaching financial responsibility.
Activity Insights
View detailed reports on your child’s screen time and platform activity to understand their usage patterns.
Mobile Setup
The process for setting up Roblox parental controls on iOS and Android devices is similar:
- Open the Roblox app and tap the “More” icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-right corner
- Select “Settings” from the menu
- Scroll down and tap “Parental Controls”
- Follow the prompts to link your parent account and configure settings
Roblox Red Flags: Warning Signs Parents Should Watch For
Even with excellent parental controls in place, you’ll want to remain alert to any potential red flags that point to problems:
Your Child is Being Secretive About their Online Activity
Has your child suddenly becomes protective of their device? Do they angle the screen away from you?
This may indicate they’re engaging with content or people they know you wouldn’t approve of. While some privacy-seeking is normal for teenagers, dramatic changes in openness warrant a conversation.
They Receive Requests for Personal Information from “Friends”
If your child mentions that an online friend has asked for their address, phone number, school name, photos, or other identifying information, this is a major red flag.
While many requests can be harmless, predators often groom children by building trust before making these requests. Immediately review their friends list and report the user to Roblox.
Your Child Talks About Meeting Online Friends in Person
Any mention of meeting someone from Roblox in the real world should trigger immediate conversation and intervention.
Some individuals might attempt to arrange in-person meetings after establishing online relationships. Make it clear that online friends should remain online only – and take action quickly if you notice any concerning behavior.
They Receive Gifts or Items from Strangers
If your child mentions that an online friend gave them Robux, special in-game items, or offered to buy them things, be cautious.
Some users will try to offer gifts to create a sense of obligation or debt, making children feel they “owe” something in return. Keep open communication with your child about their gameplay to avoid any potential risks.
Unexplained Charges or Purchase Requests
Another key Roblox tip? Regularly review your credit card statements and your child’s Roblox purchase history through the parental dashboard.
Unauthorized purchases may indicate your child found a way around spending limits. If your child suddenly asks for more money to spend on Roblox or requests gift cards more frequently than usual, investigate why.
Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe Online with Roblox
The new parental controls are powerful tools, but they work best combined with active parenting. Beyond watching for red flags in behavior, there are some proactive steps you can take to get involved with your child’s gameplay and stay ahead of any risks.
Monitor Activity Through the Dashboard
Regularly check your child’s screen time insights, friend activity, and the games they’re playing. The remote dashboard makes this easier than ever – and you can gain a lot of insight into their gameplay habits through consistent monitoring.
Encourage Open Communication
Don’t make Roblox an off-limits topic. Try to create an environment where your child feels comfortable reporting anything that makes them uncomfortable.
Let them know they won’t get in trouble for coming to you with concerns – and that you want to know more about what they’re doing on the game.
Set Clear Expectations
Draw a line between enjoying the game and potentially exposing your child to risks.
Use the new controls to establish and enforce rules about play time, spending, and appropriate content. Explain why certain games are restricted – this creates learning opportunities about digital safety.
Review Friends Periodically
Check your child’s friends list regularly. Ask them about new connections and ensure they’re only connecting with people they know in real life.
Stay Safe Online with Kidslox
Roblox has developed new and effective parental controls that go much further than the game’s original restrictions. However, even with the best parental controls for Roblox, you may need some help to keep your family safe online.
Kidslox complements Roblox’s platform-specific controls by providing household-wide device management. A single Kidslox account lets you monitor and control all your child’s devices, including phones, tablets, and computers.
With Kidslox, you can set time limits across all apps and websites (not just Roblox), block inappropriate content platform-wide, and monitor comprehensive activity across your child’s entire digital life. You can even set bedtime limits to ensure devices don’t interfere with sleep.
While Roblox’s parental controls excel at managing the Roblox experience specifically, Kidslox provides the broader framework for healthy technology habits across all platforms and devices your children use.
Want to learn more? Download Kidslox today and learn more about how to keep you and your family safe in the digital age.
FAQ
Can my child bypass Roblox parental controls?
While determined tech-savvy kids may attempt to circumvent controls, Roblox’s new system makes this significantly harder. The requirement for parent identity verification (via credit card or government ID) prevents children from simply creating a fake parent account.
However, if your child knows your account password, they could potentially make changes. Protect your parent account with a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication.
What age is appropriate for Roblox?
Roblox doesn’t have an “official” minimum age requirement, but the platform is designed with robust controls for children as young as 9. Ultimately, the right age depends on your individual child’s maturity level and your comfort with online gaming. With proper parental controls enabled, many parents feel comfortable allowing children 9+ to use Roblox under supervision.
How do I know if my child is talking to strangers on Roblox?
Check your child’s friends list regularly through the parental dashboard. Have conversations about who these friends are – your child should be able to tell you how they know each person.
Remember that for users under 13, direct messaging outside of games is now completely disabled, which significantly reduces stranger contact risk. In-game chat is monitored by AI systems, but parental oversight remains important.
Are parental controls free on Roblox?
Yes, all parental controls on Roblox are completely free. You don’t need a premium subscription or special account to access the full range of safety features, including the remote dashboard, screen time limits, content restrictions, spending limits, and activity insights.
How do I remove a friend from my child’s Roblox account?
Simply navigate to the Friends Management section in parental controls, locate the friend you want to remove, and select “Block.”
This prevents that user from contacting or playing with your child. You can also have a conversation with your child about why certain friendships concern you, teaching them to make good decisions about online relationships.
I’m locked out because my child changed their password. What do I do?
If you set up your parent account properly and linked it to your child’s account, you can still access parental controls from your own dashboard even if your child changes their password.
However, if you need to log into their account directly for any reason, use the email address associated with their account to reset the password. This is why it’s important to use an email you control when setting up your child’s Roblox account.
