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Original poster

Can someone please explain Roblox to me?

39 replies

RUOKHon · 20/02/2021 20:39

I’ve done some google searches on this already, but all the info I can find assumes at least some basic knowledge of gaming and I am utterly clueless. I sort of understand what it is, but I have never been into gaming, I don’t really know much about it. How does it work? Do you pay for it as a download?

My 7 year old is bugging me to get it but I have no idea if it’s safe or not. Can other online players talk to you? Is it appropriate for a 7yo?

OP posts:
custardbear · 20/02/2021 20:43

My kids go on it, as do most of their friends - they go through houses or buildings and build people or watch stuff through it, and hook up with friends - don't allow chatting to unknowns though

Original poster
RUOKHon · 20/02/2021 20:49

Can you actually block chatting to unknowns? Or do you kids just understand it’s a rule?

OP posts:
sunflowertulip · 21/02/2021 00:12

I block all chat for my 7 year old and she uses FaceTime/Skype/zoom to chat to friends as she plays. Adopt me and Pet escape are popular with her friends.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

7 year olds
sunflowertulip · 21/02/2021 00:13

It's generally free but you can buy Robux to buy extras - my daughter has never had any Robux but would really like some!

choosername1234 · 21/02/2021 00:18

There seems to be lots of little games within the roblox platform - my DS is keen to start writing his own games but doesn't have enough coding know-how yet.

BluePeterVag · 21/02/2021 00:22

www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/roblox/

And this is useful info.

Can someone please explain Roblox to me?
Myothercarisalsoshit · 21/02/2021 00:22

It's kiddie crack. I'm a Y4 teacher and Roblox is the bane of my life - I have 2 children in particular who are completely obsessed - when they're not talking about it they're drawing pictures of characters and games. Drives me insane. There was some talk a few weeks ago about it's suitability so maybe do a search about safety? I have had children bullied on it where their parents hadn't disabled the chat.

MiddleClassMother · 21/02/2021 00:23

It's a gaming platform for kids that sort of age probably up to about 11? You can turn things like chat off so even in public games the chat bubbles don't pop up. However it takes some of the fun away and makes team games near unplayable (not just from the DC talking I have seen this myself) I tell them not to add people they do not know, and they normal facetime their friends when playing it so they can talk.

BluePeterVag · 21/02/2021 00:24

This is also another good source of info for any games. www.internetmatters.org/hub/esafety-news/parents-guide-to-roblox-and-how-your-kids-can-play-it-safely/

SleepySloth153 · 21/02/2021 00:45

Roblox is free to download, although there is the option to spend real money to access some games/special features. You have an individual chat with people that you 'friend' and there are in-game chats with everyone playing that game or those in that server (many games have a maximum number of people in a server - but this depends on the game). The chats are all heavily filtered, and it is really easy to block people or report things if needed. I am not aware of being able to disable chat entirely, but I may be wrong. When signing up you put in the age of the child and there are different restrictions for under 13s and over 13s. There are also parental controls so you can control some settings.

As long as you have a conversation that there might be some weirdos, to only friend people they know, and to go to you if there is ever anything wrong. Roblox seems to be far safer for children, especially younger children than a lot of other things out there.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 21/02/2021 02:09

What a lot of people don't realise is that Roblox itself is t a 'game' per se but a building platform, much like Lego that you make games out of. So your DS/DD will be on any of the myriad number of games available - there are thousands as anyone can make one. The most popular by far is Adopt Me, because you can adopt and trade pets. Other types of games you may come across are 'obbies' (obstacle courses) or 'tycoons' (where you gradually build up an empire/business). All games will have options to buy stuff using robux but you can set this to be password protected. It's mostly harmless fun , but then my DD has chat turned off.

duffmcstockings · 21/02/2021 02:16

No, but it seems quite harmless and cheaper than fortnite Smile

Insert1x20p · 21/02/2021 04:03

Agree with pp that it’s kiddie crack. I do let mine play games on it ( mainly Adopt Me and Bloxburg and use chat but they know the rules about people they don’t know and there are time limits. Also the robucks are a pain because of the pester factor so set the boundaries on that- mine get a set amount a week and if they ask again they lose the next week’s. They also need to get all schoolwork submitted etc to get them.

JackieWeaverHasAuthoritee · 21/02/2021 06:46

I don’t know much at all about Roblox. Some of the children in my daughter’s year 1 class are wanting to play it with her (she is 5). She doesn’t know what it is either. I read this article a while back and I know she is too young at the moment for it anyway but it definitely gave me food for thought.
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9169231/amp/Dark-addictive-game-children-stop-playing.html

Bainne · 21/02/2021 08:39

It’s harmless enough IMO, given time limits and chat switched off. I don’t buy DS Robux.

Whodofthunk · 21/02/2021 08:49

There are some really messed up games on there. I completely disagree with anyone saying it is harmless.

CigarsofthePharoahs · 21/02/2021 08:52

It's a platform that hosts a large number of games. My 10 year old is allowed to use it on our main pc in the lounge so I always know what he's doing.
Here's a tip - if you use a Windows based pc make sure your child has their own windows account. Then download the windows family safety app. You can control access to all programs from there.
If ds1 is being awkward then oops, Roblox is blocked.

SkepticalCat · 21/02/2021 08:57

I don't know a great deal about it, but children in my daughter's class (year 5) play it and talk about it. My daughter has also watched some YouTube videos of other people playing Roblox.

Here's another website which gives info about the game:

www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/roblox

AllMyPrettyOnes · 21/02/2021 09:07

@Whodofthunk

There are some really messed up games on there. I completely disagree with anyone saying it is harmless.
Like?
OnTheBenchOfDoom · 21/02/2021 09:10

Mine are now mid teens but loved Roblox. Like everything it is about control and limits. Limit the amount of time they are on any game and control who they can talk to. Disable chat and get them to talk to their friends using Zoom/Discord or whatever you are comfortable with.

My two liked playing the ones where you got jobs but also used the taxis as a hide and seek game.

As for children becoming obsessed aren't all children excited about something? It is currency in the playground, something to talk about as a collective. I prefer that to JoJo bows or Squiggle water bottles Grin

Whodofthunk · 21/02/2021 09:20

@AllMyPrettyOnes

Bear Alpha
The Mirror
Piggy
Elevator

I could go on with horror games, they tend to stay on there in abundance. Various games with sexual content appear and disappear most days too though.

Original poster
RUOKHon · 21/02/2021 09:29

This is all really good info. Thanks everyone.

So the horror games are up there and able to be accessible to anyone? Or if you have the right controls, DC won’t be able to stumble across them?

Is it like YouTube? Where DC could be innocently watching Stampy videos but one wrong click on the sidebar could take them to real life murder scenes or something?

(My kids don’t have normal YouTube btw. They only have YouTube Kids!)

OP posts:
imjackieweaver · 21/02/2021 09:40

www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/roblox/

Fembot123 · 21/02/2021 09:42

Piggy is a game where you get chased by a scary version of pepper pig.

Fembot123 · 21/02/2021 09:43

Peppa pig