Roblox, a platform with millions of active players, is rolling out new safety measures designed to protect its youngest users. The move follows increasing criticism about child safety and troubling allegations about the platform’s internal culture and moderation practices.
New Safety Features for Children
Since 2006, Roblox has been a hub for creative and social interaction, allowing users to play, create games, and connect with others. However, with this freedom comes risks, particularly for children. To address these concerns, Roblox is implementing stricter safety protocols:
- Content Restrictions: Children under 9 are now limited to “Mild”-rated content, with “Moderate” content available only through parental consent.
- Messaging Controls: Accounts for users under 13 will no longer allow direct messaging outside games and experiences or access to public broadcast messages. Parents will soon control whether private messages are enabled.
- Content Labeling: Experiences without a verified content rating will be hidden from users under 13.
- Age-Gated Social Features: Certain social activities will be restricted based on age.
These changes aim to create a safer environment for younger users, protecting them from inappropriate content and interactions.
Enhanced Parental Controls
Roblox is also providing parents with more tools to monitor and manage their children’s activity on the platform. New features include:
- Screen Time Monitoring: Parents can review how long their children spend on Roblox.
- Friend List Access: Parents can view and manage their child’s friends.
- Spending and Content Restrictions: Parents can set spending limits and restrict access to chat features or specific content.
These tools empower parents to ensure their children use the platform responsibly and safely.
Allegations of Inappropriate Conduct
Roblox’s efforts to improve safety come amidst troubling allegations regarding its internal culture and moderation practices.
- Platform Risks: A 2024 report from Hindenburg Research accused Roblox of allowing explicit content to circulate on the platform, describing it as a “pedophile hellscape.” The report claimed that inappropriate games and groups were operating within the platform. Roblox strongly denied these allegations, calling them misleading.
- Employee Misconduct: In 2022, reports surfaced that a former Roblox social media manager operated a pornographic blog while employed at the company. Additionally, the official Roblox Twitter account allegedly interacted with content from individuals involved in inappropriate behavior.
- Workplace Culture: Current and former employees have criticized the company for a lack of diversity and alleged discrimination, particularly during a hiring boom between 2020 and 2022.
Addressing the Challenges
Roblox has taken steps to address these allegations, including partnering with Speakfully, a workplace reporting platform, to provide employees with a confidential way to report harassment, discrimination, or ethical violations.
While the company has implemented these measures and safety features, questions remain about its ability to manage its platform and internal culture effectively. Critics argue that deeper reforms and stricter oversight may be needed to ensure Roblox is a safe and ethical space for both its users and employees.
By taking these steps, Roblox aims to rebuild trust with its user base and families. However, as these measures roll out, the platform faces the challenge of balancing safety, user freedom, and its reputation in a highly scrutinized industry.
