According to an independent game developer for Roblox, the current security measures on the platform, including age restrictions, do not meet the requirements.
Roblox ranks first among gaming platforms in the UK for children aged eight to twelve.
In an exclusive interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, the developer, who requested to remain anonymous, noted that parents need to supervise their children on the platform "at all times, and if that is not possible, they should refrain from allowing them to play Roblox."
A Roblox representative stated: "Our top priority is safety. We have implemented advanced protection technologies and filters that prevent the spread of harmful content and unwanted messages on the platform to ensure the safety of all users."
In 2024, the average number of Roblox players exceeded 80 million daily, of which approximately 40% were children under 13 years old.
A developer named "Sam," who preferred to remain anonymous, contacted the BBC after hearing an interview with Matt Kaufman, Roblox's chief security officer, on the 5 Live Breakfast program.
In this interview, Kaufman discussed various security measures used by the platform, including mandatory age verification introduced in January 2026 for all users in the UK.
Sam, an independent developer working under contract with Roblox, also collaborates with a non-profit organization focused on internet safety.
He noted that in practice, safety on the platform is significantly lower than what Kaufman presented.
Issues with Harmful Content
Roblox allows users to create their own games or participate in games created by others. The platform functions as an open world where players can interact with each other. Each developer is required to provide a description of their game and label it as "suitable for all ages," which affects the assigned age range.
Any player can create games and earn revenue from advertising or charging other users for access to the game. Some join the Roblox Creator Program, where they are paid based on user activity and attracting new audiences.
Critics argue that the platform should take additional actions to protect young players, pointing out that it has become a target for pedophiles. Others express the opinion that games created on the platform may expose children to violent or harmful content.
Sam added: "I have seen users on the platform engage in unwanted relationships with strangers." He also noted that he had seen reports of "people luring others off the platform to chat outside of it," which, according to him, "Roblox does not allow."
He continued: "I have encountered games where the goal was to shoot as many people as possible in a recreated version of Sandy Hook or Columbine. I have also seen remakes of Epstein's Island on Roblox."
He noted that complaints can be submitted through a special form but added that "perhaps only 30% of them are addressed."
When asked what advice he could give to parents who are just starting to familiarize themselves with Roblox, Sam replied: "Parents should monitor their children while playing Roblox at all times. If that is not possible, they should not allow them to play this game at all."
In its statement to the BBC, Roblox indicated that it takes "swift action against violators of our rules." It also noted that it uses an age verification process certified by independent experts to ensure that children communicate only with users of approximately the same age.
“We constantly monitor user behavior. If we notice signs of their actions not matching their declared age, we prompt users to re-verify their age,” the statement added.
Global Restrictions
This is not the first time Roblox has faced questions about the safety of its young players online.
In March 2025, Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki told BBC News that the company is making significant efforts to ensure children's safety.
However, he also urged parents to rely on their own instincts.
“If you don’t like it, don’t let your children play Roblox,” he noted.
“It may sound strange, but I always trust parents to make decisions.”
Since then, the platform has implemented mandatory age verification worldwide and made changes to its security system, including banning communication between children and adults in chat.
In countries like Russia and Turkey, Roblox is completely banned due to concerns about child safety.
Indonesia has also included Roblox on its list of platforms banned for individuals under 16, which comes into effect on March 28.
In Australia, the ban on social media use for individuals under 16 does not apply to Roblox, although some activists are advocating for its prohibition.
The UK government is also discussing options to ban children from using social media and exploring other measures to ensure youth safety online, including app usage time limits and introducing a curfew.
Trials of these potential measures were announced on Wednesday.
It is unclear whether Roblox will be affected by any social media bans in the UK, as the government has not specified which platforms will be subject to such restrictions.
The post Developer of Roblox strongly advises parents to closely monitor their children while playing first appeared on K-News.
