Why Roblox is So Popular With Young Kids (and What Parents Need to Know)
With nearly 60 million daily active users, Roblox is one of the most popular online gaming platforms. It’s particularly popular with elementary-aged kids. Let’s talk a bit about why!
In today’s post, I want to discuss why Roblox is so darn popular with young kids. If you have a child between the ages of 6-12, you’re likely familiar with Roblox, but just in case you’re new to the topic, let us kick off this post with some background information.
What is Roblox?
Roblox is a multiplayer online game platform with over 217 million active users. Roblox allows players to create and play games in a user-generated virtual world. Players design their games using block-based programming, ranging from simple obstacle courses to complex role-playing adventures. Roblox also offers pre-made games that allow users to customize their avatars and interact with other players in the virtual world.
Why do kids love it so much?
I have a few theories about what makes the game a hit for younger kids.
First, Roblox is available on a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, making it easy for kids to access the platform wherever they are. I’ve watched my kids play it on iPads, laptops, and phones with little to no change in the “fun level.” Many games are only fun – or, at least, noticeably less fun – on particular device types. Roblox seems to play well on most devices and screen sizes.
Second, Roblox is free-to-play, which means it is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This makes it easy for kids to try out the platform and see if they enjoy it. Unlike Minecraft, which costs money in many of its iterations, you can play Roblox without any out-of-pocket cost.
I’ve watched my 6-year-old son get frustrated by Minecraft and stop playing. With Roblox, the barrier to entry is lower. This is why Roblox hooks kids when they’re young. They get the feeling of building something and the accomplishment that comes with it without the frustration of the more advanced Minecraft world.
Lastly, Roblox offers a virtual world where kids can easily interact with other players, make new friends, and play games together. My daughter often gets on FaceTime with friends and plays as they navigate the same games and worlds. This comes with some risks, as the social nature of the game means that if you don’t set certain privacy protections, anyone can message your kid. I’ve got instructions below on how to fix that!
What are Robux, and why will you learn to hate them (mostly kidding)?
Robux is the virtual currency used in Roblox. Players can use Robux to purchase items, accessories, and in-game perks to enhance their gaming experience.
Players can earn Robux by creating and selling their own games or by purchasing them with real money through the Roblox website or mobile app. Robux can be used to buy virtual items like clothing, gear, and game passes, allowing players to access additional content and game features.
No surprise, you can also pay for Robux currency. If your child plays Roblox, I guarantee you’ll be asked to buy Robux in bulk or to sign up for one of the recurring plans. About a year ago, I let my daughter do the latter. Honestly, it’s been fine, and each month when the new batch of Robux hits, she gets very excited! Watching what she deems valuable enough to spend the Robux on is fun!
How to protect kids when they play Roblox
I’ve got a list of helpful advice to follow, but let me say that my #1 tip for keeping kids safe on Roblox is to tell your kids not to “friend” anyone that they don’t know in real life. They should validate Roblox names with their friends and be wary of requests from people they don’t know. This is good advice for most platforms kids use, but it’s vital for Roblox.
Here are other helpful tips for keeping kids safe:
Account Restrictions: Parents can set up an account for their child and apply parental controls, including setting a PIN to prevent unauthorized changes to account settings.
Privacy Settings: The privacy settings in Roblox allow parents to control who can send messages to their child, who can see their child's activity, and who can join their child's games. Parents can limit this to their child's friends or turn off certain features altogether.
Content Filtering: Roblox has a filtering system that can be adjusted to limit the type of content their child can see.
Report Abuse: Roblox has a "report abuse" feature that allows users to report inappropriate behavior or content. Parents can teach their children to use this feature if they encounter something wrong.
Game Access: Parents can use the "restricted games" feature to limit the games that their child can access and can also use the "allow list" to create a list of games they approve.
Overall, parents should be aware of the potential risks of online gaming platforms and take steps to protect their children. Measures include monitoring their activity, setting boundaries and rules, and using privacy settings to help ensure that their child uses the platform safely and responsibly.
In my experience, Roblox has been one of the lower-stress gaming options for my young kids (6- and 10-years old), but it requires regular oversight to ensure nothing about the game or their access to it has changed.