2026-03-27 17:33:04
Roblox has been accused of not taking its safety measures “far enough”.
An independent game developer has warned parents must monitor children “24/7” while using the platform.
The creator, referred to as Sam, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about concerns surrounding the popular gaming platform Roblox, which is widely used by children aged eight to 12 in the UK.
Roblox, which allows users to create and play games within an open, interactive environment, reported more than 80 million daily global users in 2024, with around 40 percent under the age of 13.
The platform introduced mandatory age verification checks in the UK in January 2026, a measure highlighted by its chief safety officer Matt Kaufman during an interview on 5 Live Breakfast.
But Sam – who earns income through content creation on the platform and volunteers with an online safety organisation – said the safeguards fall short of what is needed.
He said: “When playing Roblox, children need to be monitored 24/7. And if that’s not possible, then they shouldn’t be playing Roblox.
“I’ve seen people on this platform be lured into engaging in ways that they shouldn’t with complete strangers.
“I have seen games where the goal is to shoot as many people as possible in the depicted version of Sandy Hook or Columbine. I’ve seen remakes of Epstein Island on Roblox.”
Sam added while harmful content can be reported, enforcement is inconsistent.
He said: “Maybe 30 percent actually get accepted.”
Sam also raised concerns about users being encouraged to communicate outside the platform.
He said: “I’ve seen reports of people leading others off platform” for conversations – which he noted “Roblox does not allow”.
In a statement given to the BBC, Roblox said it took “swift action against those found to be breaking our rules”.
It added it operated an age check process certified by independent experts so children were limited by default to talking with users of a similar age.
The company also said: “We also continuously monitor user behaviour. If we detect signs their actions do not match their checked age, we prompt users to age check again.”
Roblox has faced repeated scrutiny over child safety.
In March 2025, Roblox chief executive Dave Baszucki told BBC News: “My first message would be, if you’re not comfortable, don’t let your kids be on Roblox.”
He added: “That sounds a little counter-intuitive, but I would always trust parents to make their own decisions.”
Roblox has since expanded its safety measures globally, including restricting communication between children and adults.
But concerns remain among campaigners, with some countries moving to ban the platform or impose restrictions on younger users.
The UK government is also examining potential measures, including social media bans for under-16s, as part of wider efforts to improve online safety for children.
Visit Bang Premier (main website)
