Parents now have the option to restrict their children’s interaction with specific friends and block certain games on Roblox, a beloved online gaming platform frequented by children. These enhancements are part of a broader set of safety improvements designed to arm parents with more authority over their child’s Roblox experience. Beginning Wednesday, parents and caregivers who verify their identity with either an ID or credit card will gain access to three new safety features. They will be able to hinder anyone on their child’s friends list from sending direct messages, report users suspected of violating Roblox’s policies, and configure the mature content settings for their child’s account to filter accessible games. They can also learn detailed insights into screen time. According to the Online Safety Act, which was implemented this year, technology companies are obligated to address harmful content or be subject to fines reaching up to £18 million or 10% of their global revenue. There have been concerns about bullying, grooming, and children being exposed to explicit or harmful content on Roblox, which is highly popular among UK gamers aged eight to twelve. Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer, Matt Kaufman, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, stating its ambition is to be the safest and most civil online platform. The US-based company, which boasts more monthly users than Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation combined, saw an average of over 80 million players daily in 2024, with approximately 40% under the age of 13. Throughout the previous year, Roblox implemented 40 safety updates, including restricting direct messages for users under 13. Andy Burrows, the CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, welcomed the safety upgrades but stressed that Roblox still grapples with significant issues of harmful and age-inappropriate content.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/02/roblox-gives-parents-more-power-over-childrens-activity-on-gaming-platform