An independent developer working on the Roblox platform expressed doubts about the effectiveness of safety measures for children, including age checks.
Roblox is the most popular gaming platform in the UK for children aged eight to twelve.
The developer, who spoke in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, stated that parents should monitor their children in the game "around the clock," adding that if this is not possible, they should consider banning the game on Roblox.
Representatives of Roblox, in turn, assured that user safety is their top priority, and the platform has effective protective tools designed to prevent the spread of harmful content and messages.
In 2024, Roblox had an average of over 80 million users visiting daily worldwide, with about 40% being under the age of 13.
The developer, known by the name "Sam," did not want to disclose his real name but decided to reach out to the BBC after listening to an interview with Matt Kaufman, a Roblox safety expert.
Kaufman discussed various safety measures implemented on the platform, including mandatory age checks introduced in January 2026 for all users in the UK.
Sam, not being an employee of Roblox, is an independent game developer on the platform and also collaborates with a non-profit organization focused on internet safety.
He expressed the opinion that the actual state of safety on the platform differs significantly from what Kaufman describes.
Content Issues
Roblox allows users to create their own games or play those developed by other participants. The platform is structured as an open world where players can interact with each other. Developers are required to provide a description of their games and label them as "suitable for all ages," which determines the age category of the game.
Every player can create games and earn from them, generating income from advertisements or charging users for access. Some developers participate in the Roblox content creator program, where they get paid based on user activity.
Critics argue that the platform should more actively protect its young players, pointing out that it can attract unwanted attention, including from pedophiles. Others express concerns that games on the platform may expose children to violent or harmful content.
Sam added: "I have seen users on the platform being lured into unwanted encounters with strangers."
He also mentioned instances where "some people led others outside the game to communicate off the platform," which, according to him, "Roblox does not allow."
Sam also reported seeing games aimed at shooting as many characters as possible in recreations of tragedies like Sandy Hook or Columbine, as well as remakes of Epstein's Island on Roblox.
According to him, reports of such cases are accepted through a special form, but only 30% of them are likely to be reviewed.
When asked what advice he could give to parents whose children are just starting to explore Roblox, Sam said: "Parents should monitor their children while playing Roblox constantly. If this is not possible, it is better not to allow them to play this game at all."
In response to a BBC inquiry, Roblox stated that it "takes prompt action against rule violators." The company added that it uses an age verification process certified by independent experts so that children can only communicate with users of a similar age.
"We also continuously monitor user behavior. If we detect a discrepancy between actions and declared age, we offer a re-verification," the company added.
Global Restrictions
This is not the first time Roblox has faced questions about the safety of its young users.
In March 2025, Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki noted in an interview with BBC News that the company makes significant efforts to ensure the safety of children.
However, he also emphasized the importance of parental intuition.
"If you feel that something is wrong, do not let your children play Roblox," he said.
"It may sound strange, but I always trust parents in their decisions."
Since then, the platform has implemented mandatory age verification in all countries and made changes to safety systems, including restrictions on children's communication with adults in chat.
In countries like Russia and Turkey, Roblox is completely banned due to concerns about child safety.
Indonesia has also added Roblox to the list of platforms banned for individuals under 16, which will take effect on March 28.
In Australia, restrictions on social media use for individuals under 16 do not apply to Roblox, although some activists are calling for a ban on the platform.
The UK government is also considering introducing restrictions on social media use by children and exploring other measures to enhance youth safety online, including app usage time limits and curfews.
Recently, trials of these potential measures were announced.
It remains unclear whether Roblox will be affected by any social media bans in the UK, as the government has not specified which particular platforms will be subject to restrictions.
The post Developer Calls on Parents to Monitor Children in Roblox Game Around the Clock was first published on K-News.
