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We have recently received multiple reports from parents and school staff about harmful content on gaming platform Roblox. To help you understand how to keep children and young people safe, we’ve created this important Roblox Parents Guide. 

The latest reports we’ve received have outlined worrying accounts of younger children being sent ‘friend requests’ from strangers and exposure to sexualised content, with in-game characters imitating sex in the Roblox game Brookhaven.  

Due to these reports around inappropriate conversations and highly sexualised content, our Online Safety Experts have carried out further research into the platform Roblox, specifically its game Brookhaven. 

A notable risk factor is that Roblox has almost 24 million games within the platform. As many of the games and ‘dress up’ items are user-generated, it can be difficult to establish the intent behind every game or guarantee that games follow Roblox age restrictions.   

Our Online Safety Experts reviewed popular footage from the game where avatars were seen simulating sex acts, using the power of suggestion and in-game chat functions. 

For example, characters can use different moves, such as giving CPR. While this is innocent, when this action is paired with outfits and words from chat, it can be used to simulate sex acts.  

Our experts are aware that in some games a culture of ‘online dating’ exists between avatars where users may in some cases form ‘relationships’.  

The games that we reviewed were not designed to facilitate sex, but it is possible to simulate sexual activity by other means. For example, dressing a character in swimwear, followed by bringing them upstairs to ‘cuddle’ or performing CPR in underwear. In some cases, it was possible to simulate ejaculation and bondage activities using collars and dog leashes.  

Exposure to Sexualised Content – younger children may not fully understand sexual suggestion. They may see this as a game, which can then be exploited by those with harmful intentions that would seek to groom or exploit a child. 

Younger children playing the game are more vulnerable to the effects of seeing inappropriate content that is considered beyond their developmental stage. Normalising sexual activity with children is often part of the grooming process.  

The concern is that this form of activity on the platform may normalise inappropriate interactions between other children or with adults on the platform.  

Unsupervised Access –  if parental controls aren’t configured, and young people play unsupervised, they may be at risk of exposure to harmful content and contact from strangers.  

Ineffective Moderation – while there is moderation within Roblox, it is not guaranteed. Word filters will fail if users can write explicit words, e.g., sex as ‘S£Gs’.

Friend Requests – some children have reported unsolicited friend requests from strangers. Roblox may see children encounter people who use anonymity to conceal their intentions or their true age. This can be an opportunity to build rapport and move to a more private server. 

Third Party Streaming – in some cases platforms like Discord are used to live stream games and chat 1-2-1 away from the game. 

In-Game Currency – the temptation or requirement to buy in–game currency to improve gameplay can also be used to exploit children. Our Online Safety Experts have seen other cases where an in–game currency has been used to exploit children and young people by using the promise of rewards to encourage inappropriate sexualised behaviours. 

The number one thing you can do is play the game alongside the children in your care. Watch them play to understand how the game works and the types of interactions they have on the platform.  

You can use the tips found in this Roblox Parents Guide to ensure they have a safer gaming experience. 

Roblox has multiple different ways to play, including in different servers. A server acts as a ‘game manager’, which makes sure all users see the same thing and it also allows them to communicate in real-time.

Each server on Roblox has up to 18 players and not all games have servers available.

As well as following the above advice, follow these top tips: