Roblox is the most popular gaming platform for children aged eight to 12 in the UK, with millions logging on every day to build, play and chat with friends.

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But an independent developer working on the platform has now warned that parents should monitor their children “24/7” while they are using it, saying current safety measures do not go far enough.

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, the developer, who asked not to be named and is referred to as “Sam”, said he had witnessed troubling content and behaviour first-hand.

What the developer said about Roblox safety

Roblox averaged more than 80 million global players per day in 2024, with roughly 40% under the age of 13. The platform allows users to create their own games, interact in virtual worlds and chat with other players.

Sam, who is contracted by Roblox to make games and also volunteers for a non-profit online safety organisation, said he felt the reality of moderation did not match the company’s public assurances.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I've seen people on this platform be lured into engaging in ways that they shouldn't with complete strangers.”

He also claimed to have seen reports of “people leading others off platform” for conversations elsewhere online, something he said “Roblox does not allow”.

Among the examples he described were games depicting real-life tragedies. He said: “I have seen games where the goal is to shoot as many people as possible in the depicted version of Sandy Hook or Columbine. I've seen remakes of Epstein Island on Roblox.”

According to Sam, when concerns are flagged through official reporting forms, “maybe 30% actually get accepted”.

When asked what advice he would give parents, he said: “When playing Roblox, children need to be monitored 24/7. And if that's not possible, then they shouldn't be playing Roblox.”

What safety measures does Roblox have in place?

Roblox says safety is a top priority. In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson said: “Safety is a top priority, and we have advanced safeguards and filters designed to prevent harmful content and communications on our platform to keep all our users safe.”

The company has rolled out mandatory age verification checks in the UK from January 2026, and says it operates an age check process certified by independent experts. By default, children are limited to chatting with users of a similar age.

Roblox added: “We also continuously monitor user behaviour. If we detect signs their actions do not match their checked age, we prompt users to age check again.”

Earlier this year, Roblox Chief Executive Dave Baszucki also told BBC News that parents should ultimately trust their instincts.

“My first message would be, if you're not comfortable, don't let your kids be on Roblox,” he said.

“That sounds a little counter-intuitive, but I would always trust parents to make their own decisions.”

Why Roblox is under scrutiny

This is not the first time the platform has faced questions about child safety.

Roblox blocks children from chatting directly with adult strangers, and has introduced a number of content labelling systems. Creators must provide a description and maturity rating for their games, which are then assigned to age categories.

However, because Roblox functions as an open platform where anyone can create and monetise games, critics argue that moderation can be challenging at scale.

Some countries have taken stronger action. Russia and Turkey have banned Roblox, citing child safety concerns. Indonesia has included it in a list of platforms banned for under-16s, with the restriction coming into force on 28 March.

In the UK, the government is currently consulting on measures to improve online safety for children, including possible social media restrictions, app time limits and curfews. It is not yet clear whether platforms like Roblox would be included in any future ban.

What this means for parents

For many families, Roblox is a social space as much as a game, particularly for primary school-aged children. It can offer creativity, collaboration and digital skills. But as with any online platform that includes chat and user-generated content, risks do exist.

If your child uses Roblox, you may want to:

  • Set up parental controls and ensure age settings are accurate
  • Keep devices in shared family spaces where possible
  • Regularly talk to your child about who they are playing with and what games they are accessing
  • Remind them never to move conversations to other apps or platforms

While calls for “24/7” supervision may not be realistic for most busy parents, the message from both critics and the company itself is clear: staying engaged with your child’s digital world matters.

As Baszucki put it, parents should “trust” themselves to decide what feels right for their family.

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