Roblox is stepping up its efforts to improve platform safety by introducing stricter controls for children under 13 and enhancing parental monitoring tools. This move comes as the company faces increasing scrutiny following reports of safety lapses and broader concerns about online platforms’ impact on young users.
Over the coming months, Roblox will roll out a policy that prevents users under 13 from sending private messages unless parental permission is granted. While these users can still view public chats in games, they won’t be able to privately interact with others outside specific, approved experiences. This adds to earlier restrictions where children under 13 were barred from accessing certain types of content, such as unrated games and free-form creation spaces.
The platform is also introducing more robust parental control features, allowing parents to monitor their child’s activity directly from their own devices. Key updates include push notifications for parental approvals, tools to set daily screen time limits, and detailed usage stats. Previously, parents had to access their child’s device to make adjustments. These new features aim to give families more flexibility and control over their child’s interactions within Roblox.
Roblox’s actions are partly a response to recent investigative reports highlighting safety concerns. Earlier this year, Bloomberg detailed cases of predatory behavior on the platform, revealing incidents where individuals groomed or targeted children. Additionally, Hindenburg Research published findings accusing Roblox of inadequate protections against predators. By restricting communication and boosting parental oversight, Roblox seeks to address these criticisms while ensuring a safer gaming environment for its youngest users.
