As safety concerns grow, Roblox CEO says: ‘Trust parents to decide'

My first message would be, if you're not comfortable, don't let your kids be on Roblox. That sounds a little counterintuitive, but I would always trust parents to make their own decision.

"At the same time, there are literally tens and tens of millions of people having amazing experiences on our platform," Baszucki told the BBC, "It's an amazing balance, really our responsibility on safety and civility."

But for many UK parents, keeping their children off a platform so deeply embedded in friendship groups and playground chat isn’t quite as straightforward.

What is Roblox and why are parents concerned?

Roblox is a US-based gaming platform with more than 80 million daily users – around 40% of whom are under 13. It allows players to create, share and play millions of user-generated games and is currently the top gaming site among UK children aged 8 to 12.

Despite its popularity, Roblox has faced criticism over safety concerns. Reports of grooming, bullying and exposure to inappropriate content have prompted calls for stricter oversight.

The BBC’s investigation found it was still possible for users of different ages to connect and message each other, despite filters and restrictions.

Roblox's response: 'One bad incident is one too many'

Baszucki insists that safety is taken seriously, saying, “We do in the company take the attitude that any bad, even one bad incident, is one too many.”

He also pointed to Roblox's proactive safety systems: “We’re optimistic that we're just getting better and better with our AI systems on voice… we believe we have one of the best, if not the best, voice civility models out there.”

“Behind the scenes, the analysis of what's going on goes all the way to, if necessary, reaching out to law enforcement,” Baszucki added.

He highlighted the use of communication filters and manual monitoring systems that aim to detect and prevent inappropriate behaviour. Users who break the rules can be temporarily suspended or banned.

Since November 2024, children under 13 have been blocked from sending direct messages or joining chat-based “hangout” games. Roblox says these changes are part of their efforts to go “beyond the law” in keeping children safe.

But critics say the platform’s restrictions can still be easily bypassed. The BBC was able to create two fake accounts – one aged 15 and another 27 – that successfully exchanged messages, despite being on unlinked devices.

Why it's hard for parents to say no

While the CEO’s advice emphasises parental choice, UK parents say there’s more nuance in real-life parenting.

Ellie Gibson, co-host of the Scummy Mummies podcast, said Baszucki’s message risks sounding like a “get-out”.

“It’s much easier said than done, especially when all their friends are playing it,” she told the BBC.

Peer pressure plays a big role. If Roblox is where your child’s friends hang out, saying no can leave them feeling excluded. And with multiple children to supervise and limited time, many parents find it hard to monitor everything online in real time, even with controls in place.

Is Roblox doing enough?

The platform's age rating system is based not just on game titles but on the content within them. However, games like “Late Night Boys and Girls Club RP” and “Shoot Down Planes...because why not?” were still being recommended to young users, raising questions about how robust the filtering really is.

Baszucki says content is rated rigorously, but admitted it’s a balancing act between fostering fun and safe social interaction and keeping out harmful content. “There is a delicate balance,” he said.

What can parents do?

If you’re considering whether Roblox is right for your child, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Use parental controls: Roblox includes settings that can restrict communication and filter games based on age.
• Supervise playtime: Where possible, be present or nearby when your child is on the app.
• Keep conversations open: Talk to your child about what they’re playing, who they’re chatting with, and how to recognise anything that feels off.
• Set boundaries: Make clear screen time rules and what content is allowed.
• Explore together: Try playing a few games with your child so you understand the platform better.

Roblox may be part of the digital childhood for millions of kids – but it’s not a must. While the platform says it’s safe and improving, the CEO’s own message reinforces that parents have the final say. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to say no.

This article has been updated to reflect clarifications from Headland Consultancy, who contacted MadeForMums to clarify Dave Baszucki’s statements to the BBC.

Read more:

• Roblox hits the big screen as six British kids star in world’s first gaming movie
• Roblox introduces new parental controls to tackle child safety concerns
• 10 of the best Roblox toys and merchandise