An independent Roblox developer is warning that the platform’s child safety measures, including age verification, may not go far enough to protect its young and vulnerable users.
Roblox, one of the most popular gaming platforms in the UK and the US among children ages 8 to 13, averaged more than 80 million daily players in 2024 alone. 40% of those players are claimed to have been under the age of 13.
In an exclusive BBC Radio 5 Live interview, the independent developer who requested to go by the name “Sam” states that parents should be monitoring their kids on Roblox 24/7, not just here and there. They also state that if parents cannot do so, their kids should not be playing Roblox in the first place.
“Sam” earns income from creating content on the Roblox creator platform, and volunteers for an online safety nonprofit during his downtime. He claims that he has witnessed instances that contrast sharply with the image of safety portrayed by Roblox's higher-ups.
In January of this year, Roblox rolled out a mandatory age verification check for all UK users. Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s chief safety officer, stressed the platform’s “numerous safety checks” during a 5 Live Broadcast interview. Another Roblox spokesperson also emphasized that safety is their top priority, and they have advanced safeguards in place designed to prevent harmful content and communications.
Despite these measures being set into place, Sam says that he has still seen disturbing content firsthand, including games that highlight mass shootings such as Sandy Hook. Other games have even referenced Epstein’s notorious island. He also reported cases where individuals were attempting to lead users off of the platform to have private conversations, which is against Roblox’s terms of service.
The UK government is reviewing broader measures to keep users, especially young children, safe online. This would include banning certain social media apps for children, app time limits, and curfews. It is unclear as to whether or not Roblox would fall under such restrictions.
Some US states have introduced online safety initiatives themselves, including how children can interact with adults online, but these vary widely, and most of which are not enforced on platforms such as Roblox.
This UK context adds to an ongoing debate worldwide on how tech companies protect minors online, especially those that blur the line between social media and gaming. Parents are urged to pay close attention to their children on Roblox, and if that is not a possibility, then they may not be ready for such an open-world platform.
