A gamer whose son started playing Roblox aged just four years old has revealed the pitfalls and safeguards that every parent should know before letting their child game.

For many parents, giving your little one a tablet to play with can be a saving grace, allowing you to breathe a sigh of relief for a few minutes.

But when it comes to Roblox, it’s different to most games though - in fact it’s not really a game at all. Like the Netflix of the gaming world, Roblox is a platform that hosts a variety of experiences rather than just one. It does this by allowing users to upload games and creations for others to download and play.

And just like Netflix, there are many experiences on the platform aimed at older audiences, which can prove a minefield for parents who aren’t aware of the dangers.

As a parent, it is natural to be concerned about what your children may be exposed to online (File image)

Does this mean that Roblox is unsuitable for your child?

According to Alister Kennedy, parent of three kids under seven and experienced gamer, no.

“Roblox has no age restriction for playing and can be fun for children when you know what to look for before letting them loose,” he said.

“Firstly, you will need to determine what you consider suitable content. Some parents have different views on what is appropriate and what is not.

“As a gamer and a parent of three kids under 7, I have encountered things I wouldn’t usually let my eldest be exposed to while checking out Roblox.”

He said if you do nothing else before letting your child on Roblox, take the time to explore the app without the age restrictions to get an idea of everything Roblox offers.

“From there, I would suggest deciding which age group of content is suitable for your young ones to enjoy.

“After that, you will want to decide if your child is responsible enough to have access to features like chat, where they can receive all sorts of messages, both kind and not-so-kind. I instantly turned off this feature in the settings for my six-year-old.

“As with any section of the internet, you can find adults out to prey on children or even older kids who will send out abusive messages your little ones don’t need to see or hear. This is where I would use your judgement on how responsible your kid is while left to their own devices while deciding on their restrictions.”

If you do nothing else before letting your child on Roblox, take the time to explore the app without the age restrictions to get an idea of everything Roblox offers

So, how do you make Roblox safe for your child? 

The simple answer is to play with your child, says Alister. 

"Sit down with them when you first introduce them, or if they are already on Roblox, start asking questions about what types of games they are playing. 

"This way, you can see how your child behaves when interacting and socialising online with others.

"For those screaming, 'But, I just need a breather!', leaving your child alone to discover the good and bad for themselves might not be the best option. 

"Thankfully, Roblox has Parental Controls."

A good way to look at Roblox is the way you see Netflix - there are movies and shows on there that kids certainly should not be viewing. 

In the same way, Roblox has games for a more mature audience.

So, on Netflix, you set up a child profile to filter out adult content, allowing them to choose what they want to watch safely.

Roblox has a similar option to protect young children from seeing content that parents deem inappropriate. 

Roblox has Parental Controls, which enables you to protect your children from seeing content that you deem inappropriate

"To play Roblox, each user must first have an account - which you should set up for your child rather than leaving them to do it themselves," added Alister. 

"Choose their username for them, and adjust the privacy settings accordingly.

"If you are worried after reading horror stories of kids putting parents in debt, relax. 

"Your kid can only spend money in the game if you allow it and provide your card details. A top tip (as easy as it is to say): just tell them no!

"As they become more responsible and older, they can receive Roblox gift cards to buy items in the game. 

"Until then, like my six-year-old who has been playing Roblox for two years, the free and earnable options are just fine."

The full guide to keeping your child safe on Roblox

1. Enable both parental controls and privacy controls on Roblox. This can prevent your child from talking to strangers in-game or block age-rated experiences altogether.
2. Enable parental controls on the device and browser your child will play on. This can help prevent any accidental spending or redirection to external websites.
3. Don’t allow your child to use linked social platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Discord. Roblox cannot police external sites and platforms. What happens on them happens outside of its moderation systems.
4. Vet the games your child asks to play. Roblox has an age certification system, but it’s still advisable to try a Roblox game before letting your child play it.
5. Play the games together with your child. The best way to ensure your child isn’t playing anything they shouldn’t is to play it with them. Accounts are free, and with Roblox available on most devices, it’s easy to jump in with your child to share the fun.
6. Teach your child about staying safe online. Free online resources like the UK National Cyber Security Centre can help your child learn the basics of the internet, helping them stay safe on Roblox and anywhere else they may end up in the future.
7. Use sites you trust to find Roblox codes for your child’s favourite experiences. The promise of free Robux is always a scam, but promo codes for in-game items can exist. Sites like GfinityEsports test every code for different games, such as Shindo Life, Blox Fruits, and more.