Disclosure: WigSec purchased this game for review purposes. The developer and publisher have no editorial input on this content.
The Basics
Game: Roblox Platform: PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Xbox ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+) Price Model: Free to play with in-game currency (Robux) Online Features: Always-online, social platform with chat, friends, and user-generated content
Roblox isn’t a game — it’s a platform. It hosts millions of user-created experiences ranging from obstacle courses and role-playing games to fully realized virtual worlds. With over 88 million daily active users, many of them under 13, it’s one of the most widely used platforms your child will ever touch.
Let me be direct: Roblox’s age rating and child-friendly branding significantly understate its privacy risk. The platform collects substantial data, exposes children to strangers by default, and hosts third-party content that Roblox doesn’t fully control.
Content Considerations
User-generated content is unpredictable: Roblox sets content guidelines, but millions of individual game developers create experiences within the platform. Quality, appropriateness, and safety vary wildly. Games that appear innocent can contain inappropriate themes, exploitative monetization, or contact with strangers.
In-game chat: Text and voice chat are available on the platform. Younger accounts have filtered chat, but filters aren’t perfect. Kids can and do encounter inappropriate language, grooming attempts, and strangers trying to move conversations off-platform.
Robux and spending: Roblox uses a virtual currency (Robux) that obscures real money. Children can spend significant amounts without understanding the real-world cost. Many experiences use aggressive monetization tactics targeting young players.
Social pressure: Roblox has a strong social economy around avatar items, limited-edition accessories, and status. Children experience real social pressure to spend money on cosmetics.
Online and Privacy Exposure
Account creation collects real data: Signup requires a birthdate and can include a real name and email address. This information is stored and subject to Roblox’s data practices.
Default settings are open: Out of the box, other users can message your child, send friend requests, and follow them across games. None of this requires parental approval.
Third-party game data practices: Each experience within Roblox is built by an independent developer. These developers may collect additional data within their games. Roblox sets baseline rules, but enforcement and individual data handling practices vary. This is nearly impossible to audit on a game-by-game basis.
Voice chat data: Roblox introduced spatial voice chat for verified users 13 and older. Voice conversations happen in real time with strangers. There is no guarantee these are not recorded or retained by third-party experiences.
Purchase history: Every Robux transaction is logged and tied to the account. This spending data is part of the profile Roblox builds on your child.
Platform-wide social graph: Roblox maintains a full social graph — who your child friends, follows, plays with, and messages. This is valuable data that is collected regardless of your child’s age.
Privacy Settings to Configure
Parent Account Setup (Do This First)
- Create a parent account: Go to roblox.com and create your own account separate from your child’s
- Enable parental supervision: Go to Settings → Parental Controls → Add a child account or link an existing one
- Set a parent PIN: Settings → Security → Parent PIN — this prevents your child from changing any settings you configure
Account Privacy Settings
- Set Who can message me: Settings → Privacy → Set to “Friends” or “No one”
- Set Who can chat with me in-app: Settings → Privacy → Set to “Friends” or “No one”
- Set Who can chat with me in game: Settings → Privacy → Set to “Friends” or “No one” for younger children
- Set Who can follow me: Settings → Privacy → Set to “Friends”
- Set Who can join me in games: Settings → Privacy → Set to “Friends”
- Set Who can invite me to private servers: Settings → Privacy → Set to “Friends”
- Disable contact info visibility: Ensure phone number and email are set to private
Account Restrictions (For Younger Children)
- Enable Account Restrictions: Settings → Security → Account Restrictions — this limits your child to a curated list of Roblox-approved content only and disables all social features
- Note: Account Restrictions is the most aggressive option. It significantly limits what your child can do but provides the strongest protection for young kids.
Spending Controls
- Remove saved payment methods: Check the Billing section and remove any stored cards
- Disable one-click purchasing: Don’t allow Robux to be purchased without your approval
- Use Roblox gift cards: Consider giving a set Robux allowance via gift cards rather than linking a payment method
Talk to Your Kid About
- Strangers are strangers: Someone being friendly in a Roblox game doesn’t make them safe. They should never share their real name, school, age, or location — even with people they’ve played with for a long time.
- Moving off-platform is a red flag: If someone asks to continue the conversation on Discord, Snapchat, or any other platform, that’s a warning sign. Tell you immediately.
- Robux has real value: Help them understand that Robux costs real money. Set clear expectations about spending before they start.
- Not every game inside Roblox is safe: Just because it’s on Roblox doesn’t mean it’s appropriate. Play new games together first before letting them explore independently.
- It’s okay to block and report: Teach them how to use the block and report features. Make it clear they won’t get in trouble for reporting something uncomfortable.
Bottom Line
Roblox can be a genuinely fun and creative platform for kids when the right settings are in place. The problem is that those settings aren’t on by default — and most parents don’t know they exist.
For children under 10, enable Account Restrictions and remove all payment methods. For kids 10–13, configure the privacy settings above carefully and have the strangers conversation explicitly. For teenagers, focus on the spending controls and the off-platform contact risk.
Check the settings quarterly. Roblox updates its platform regularly and settings can reset or change. What you configured six months ago may not still be in effect today.