Will Roblox be banned for under 16s in the UK? What parents need to know

Roblox will not be included in the UK's new under-16 social media ban, but some features will change.

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Published: June 16, 2026 at 11:19 AM

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Millions of UK parents are trying to work out what the government's new social media ban for under-16s means for the apps and platforms their children use every day.

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One of the biggest questions parents are asking following the government's announcement is whether Roblox will be affected by the new under-16 social media ban.

The confusion is understandable. While Roblox is best known as a gaming platform, it also allows users to chat, interact with friends and take part in shared online experiences, features that many parents associate with social media. As a result, many families are wondering whether it falls within the scope of the new rules due to come into force in 2027.

Will Roblox be banned for under 16s in the UK?

No. The UK government has confirmed that Roblox will not be part of its new social media ban for under-16s.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X and YouTube will be inaccessible to children under 16 from spring 2027.

However, Roblox has been specifically excluded.

The government said messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will also remain available.

Why isn't Roblox included in the social media ban?

The key reason is that Roblox is not officially classified as a social media platform.

Although many parents think of Roblox as social media because children can chat, interact with other users, join communities and play with friends, Roblox is technically a gaming platform.

Roblox describes itself as a platform where users can create, share and play millions of games and experiences made by other users.

In fact, Roblox's own chief executive, Dave Baszucki, has previously described the platform as "The future of communication."

That social element has led some experts and campaigners to argue that the lines between gaming and social media are becoming increasingly blurred.

But under the government's planned legislation, Roblox falls into a different category from platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

Is Roblox a social media platform?

Not officially.

Roblox is generally classified as an online gaming platform rather than a social media network.

However, it includes many features commonly associated with social media, including:

This is why the question often causes confusion for parents.

While children can communicate with other users and build online friendships through Roblox, its primary purpose is gaming and interactive experiences rather than content sharing or social networking.

What restrictions will apply to children on Roblox?

Although Roblox is not being banned, the government has confirmed that some child safety measures will still apply.

According to the announcement, under-16s will face restrictions on certain features, including:

The exact details are expected to be published alongside the full legislation.

These changes follow a series of safety updates already introduced by Roblox in recent years.

In November 2024, Roblox restricted direct messaging for under-13s. The company has also introduced age verification systems and measures designed to prevent children from communicating with unknown adults.

Why are some parents concerned about Roblox?

Roblox remains one of the UK's most popular gaming platforms for children aged eight to 12, but it has faced ongoing scrutiny over child safety.

Concerns raised by parents, campaigners and online safety experts have included:

Earlier this year, Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki told BBC News: "My first message would be, if you're not comfortable, don't let your kids be on Roblox."

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

An independent Roblox developer also told BBC Radio 5 Live in 2026: "When playing Roblox, children need to be monitored 24/7. And if that's not possible, then they shouldn't be playing Roblox."

What should parents do now?

The social media ban will not come into force until spring 2027, and Roblox will remain accessible to children under 16.

However, the ongoing debate highlights the importance of understanding exactly what Roblox is and how children use it.

While it is not classed as social media under the new rules, it does include social features that allow children to interact with other users online.

Parents may want to review privacy settings, check communication controls and regularly talk to their children about who they are interacting with while gaming.

For now, the government's position is clear: Roblox will not be banned for under-16s in the UK, but additional safety restrictions are on the way.

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Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.

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