Roblox unveils new parental controls, limits messaging for users under 13

Roblox has introduced new parental controls to enhance the safety of its younger users, including removing the ability for children under 13 to send messages outside games on the platform. However, with parental consent, direct messaging in-game will still be permitted for this age group.

The gaming platform, which recorded approximately 89 million users last quarter, announced these updates on Monday. Parents and guardians will now have the ability to manage their child’s Roblox account remotely, review friend lists, set spending limits, and control screen time.

“These updates were designed after extensive research, including interviews, usability studies, and global surveys with parents and children, as well as input from child safety and media literacy experts,” stated Roblox.

While these changes have been praised as positive steps, many parents and experts believe they were long overdue. Concerns about safety on Roblox have been raised in the past, with experts highlighting vulnerabilities that allowed adults with harmful intentions to contact children. In recent years, several child abuse cases have been linked to the platform.

In August, access to Roblox was blocked in Turkey following a court order amid concerns about harmful user-generated content. Additionally, a 2022 lawsuit alleged that Roblox facilitated the exploitation of a California girl by adults who coerced her into substance abuse and sharing explicit photos.

Matthew Johnson, an expert in media education, remarked, “Many of these features are standard in other platforms aimed at young users, raising the question of why it took so long.” He highlighted that consumer pressure likely influenced the company’s decision, adding, “If enough parents speak out, even large platforms will adapt their practices.”

The new tools will be available to users in Canada, and parents can now link their accounts to their child’s for remote management. To enable this feature, parents must verify their accounts using an ID or credit card. They will be able to monitor screen time, set daily limits, and adjust controls remotely.

Additional updates include revamped content labels, replacing age-based categories with descriptors like “Minimal” or “Restricted.” By default, users under nine will only access content categorized as “Minimal” or “Mild,” while users under 13 will be restricted from viewing unlabelled experiences. Content labeled “Restricted” will remain inaccessible until users verify they are at least 17.

Toy industry analyst Chris Byrne noted that Roblox’s user base has grown increasingly younger over time, with children as young as five participating in the platform. “As platforms become more widely adopted, their user demographics tend to skew younger,” Byrne said. He emphasized the importance of protecting young users, adding that these updates will likely reassure parents.

While some changes, such as remote management and updated content labels, are already in effect, other features will roll out by early 2025.

Tech expert Carmi Levy welcomed the updates, stating, “Kids are now better protected than before.” However, he stressed that parents must actively use these tools and maintain open communication with their children. “If you ban kids from using the app, they’ll find a way to access it without your knowledge,” Levy explained. “The key is fostering trust so kids feel comfortable sharing their online experiences with you.”