Roblox for parents: everything you need to know

What is Roblox?

Short answer: Roblox is a free platform with millions of small games made by users, played together with friends.

Roblox isn't one game. It's a huge collection of games built by users: races, role-play, obstacle courses, pet raising and more. Your child picks a game, joins it and meets other players there.

• Price: free to download and play. There's a paid virtual currency called Robux.
• Where: computer, phone, tablet, Xbox, PlayStation and Meta Quest.
• Why kids love it: playing with classmates, designing an avatar, and there's always a new game to try.

What age is Roblox for?

Short answer: Our recommendation: from age 8, with parental controls set. Roblox itself groups users by age with different limits.

According to the Roblox help center, every account belongs to an age group that decides which games and features it can use:

Every Roblox game gets a content label: Minimal, Mild, Moderate or Restricted (18+ only). In parental controls you choose the highest level your child can join.

Tip: Settings change from time to time and depend on your country. If something looks different for you, check the official parental controls page.

Is Roblox safe for kids?

Short answer: Roblox is reasonably safe with parental controls on and an open conversation. The main risks are strangers, spending and unsuitable content.

• Strangers in chat: the biggest danger is someone trying to move the conversation to another app, like WhatsApp or Discord, where Roblox's protections don't apply.
• Spending: it's easy to spend real money on Robux, avatar clothes and upgrades.
• "Free Robux" sites: almost always scams meant to steal the account.
• Content: games are made by users, so some are scarier or more violent.

What Roblox does to protect kids, per its official safety FAQ: chat requires an age check (facial age estimation or ID), chat is limited to similar ages, and filters block personal information, links and images.

Who can talk to my child on Roblox?

Short answer: Only players of a similar age and friends you've approved. Under 9, chat is off unless a parent turns it on.

Source: Roblox safety FAQ. In parental controls you can also turn chat off completely, or allow trusted friends only.

How to set up Roblox parental controls

Short answer: Create a parent account, link it to your child's account, then set content, chat, spending and screen time.

1. Create your own Roblox account

   It's free. You can also use Parent mode on your child's device without an account, but a linked account sends you email alerts.

2. Link the accounts

   On your child's account: Settings → Parental controls → add a parent. You'll get a confirmation email.

3. Choose a content level

   Under Content restrictions, move the slider to Minimal or Mild for young kids. You can also block a specific game.

4. Set chat

   Under Communication, turn chat off or allow trusted friends only.

5. Limit spending

   Set a monthly spending limit and turn on a notification for every purchase.

6. Set screen time

   Add a daily limit and see which games your child plays most.

Tip: From age 13 some settings move to the child, and spending limits no longer apply. It's a good moment to agree on house rules.

What are Robux and how do you control spending?

Short answer: Robux is virtual money bought with real money. Limit it in parental controls, or give a gift card with a fixed amount.

• It buys avatar clothes, special abilities and in-game items.
• A fixed-amount gift card teaches budgeting without a credit card on the account.
• There's no such thing as "free Robux". Sites and people promising it want the password.
• Watch out for player trading, for example in Adopt Me. Kids get very upset over an unfair "deal".

Well-known Roblox games and what age they suit

Short answer: Each game has its own parent guide with a recommended age, what happens in it and what to check.

• Adopt Me!: Raising pets and trading. Keep an eye on player trades.
• Brookhaven: A virtual town for role-play with no set goal.
• Dress to Impress: Fashion contests voted on by other players.
• Blox Fruits: Anime-style adventure and fights. Very long to play.
• Jailbreak: Cops and robbers with chases and cartoon shooting.
• Murder Mystery 2: A guessing game with a "murderer" each round. Better for older kids.
• Piggy: A scary escape game. Not for sensitive kids.
• Tower of Hell: Climbing an obstacle tower. Challenging and sometimes frustrating.
• Natural Disaster Survival: Survive disasters in short rounds. Simple and fine for younger kids.
• Royale High: A magical school, fashion and role-play.

How to talk with your child about Roblox

Short answer: Play together once, ask what they enjoy, and agree on a few simple rules.

• Play together once. 15 minutes is enough to see what they like.
• Golden rule: never move to another app with someone you met in a game.
• Never share full name, school, address or photos.
• If anyone asks for a secret, a gift or a password, tell a parent. Nobody gets punished.
• Explain that someone's avatar doesn't show who they really are.

Roblox FAQ for parents

Short answer: Short answers to the questions parents ask most.

Is Roblox free?

Yes. Downloading and playing are free. You only pay for Robux, which you can limit or block.

Can kids play Roblox without chat?

Yes. Under 9, chat is off by default, and up to age 16 a parent can turn it off in parental controls.

Why does Roblox ask to scan my child's face?

It's the age check required to use chat. Roblox says the images are deleted after processing. You can skip it, and chat simply stays off.

How do I see what my child plays?

A linked parent account shows the games your child plays most, their friends list and screen time.

Roblox or Minecraft, which is better?

Minecraft suits quiet building and creating; Roblox suits social play with friends. See the Minecraft parent guide.