This week, parents celebrated as Roblox, the popular online platform for children, announced significant changes to its chat features aimed at improving safety. Starting in 2025, users under 13 will be restricted from messaging others directly—a move designed to protect younger players.

The Red Flags Behind the New Rules

While many parents feel reassured, safety experts caution against a false sense of security. Former detective and child safety advocate Kristi McVee warns that these changes might not be as effective as they appear.

“While Roblox’s updates seem positive, they are more about reputation management than true safety,” McVee explained. She described the measures as superficial, shifting the responsibility for child safety onto parents rather than tackling the root problem: the platform’s vulnerability to predatory behavior.

Parenting Responsibility vs. Platform Accountability

A major concern is Roblox’s approach to safety. “The platform knows predatory accounts and inappropriate content exist, yet the changes make parents responsible for protecting their children,” McVee said. For kids under 13, parents must link and monitor their child’s account to enable safety settings. However, no such controls are available for players over 13, creating a significant gap in protection.

McVee also highlighted a familiar issue: children lying about their age to access restricted features. Without proper age verification systems, any child can bypass these rules and interact with strangers.

Keeping Kids Safe on Roblox

While these updates may fall short, parents can still take steps to ensure their children’s safety on Roblox:

• Use accurate information: Set up accounts with the correct date of birth to enable age-appropriate restrictions.
• Stay involved: Play alongside your child, monitor their activities, and review their usage regularly.
• Learn the platform: Understand the games your child plays and stay vigilant about third-party apps like Discord, which can facilitate communication outside Roblox.

Roblox’s Commitment to Change

Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman stated that the platform values safety alongside its social features. As part of the updates, users under 13 will only have access to public broadcast messages within games by default. Parents can adjust these settings through Parental Controls if necessary.

While the new rules signal progress, experts like McVee emphasize the need for companies to take greater accountability for ensuring a truly safe environment for young users.