Roblox CEO Urges Caution for Parents on Children’s Use
24 March 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Source: · https://technews.tw/2025/03/14/keep-kids-off-roblox-if-you-are-worried/
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Dave Baszucki, co-founder and CEO of Roblox, suggested that parents concerned about their children’s safety on the platform should consider limiting or restricting access. "If you're not comfortable with it, don’t let your kids use Roblox," he stated. While this advice may seem counterintuitive, Baszucki believes in empowering parents to make informed decisions for their families.
Roblox is a highly popular platform among young players aged 8-12 and has faced several controversies over the past few years, including reports of bullying, grooming behaviors, and concerns about exposure to harmful or explicit content. Despite Baszucki’s assertion that Roblox prioritizes user safety and facilitates “amazing experiences” for millions, security issues remain a significant concern.
As one of the world's largest gaming platforms—with over 80 million daily active players as of early 2024 (approximately 40% under age 13)—Roblox hosts around four million user-generated games and experiences. Baszucki emphasized his company’s commitment to safety, stating: "Even a single incident of misconduct is too many." He highlighted the measures they take, including monitoring bullying behaviors, filtering content, and collaborating with law enforcement when necessary.
In November last year, Roblox implemented restrictions prohibiting players under 13 from sending private messages or participating in chat functions. However, BBC investigations revealed vulnerabilities within these security filters; two fake accounts posing as underage users were able to exchange messages and make inappropriate suggestions.
Justine Roberts, CEO of Mumsnet (a UK parents' forum), responded by noting the difficulty for parents to consistently monitor their children’s online activities even with parental controls in place. Podcast host Ellie Gibson argued that Baszucki’s advice could be perceived as “shirking responsibility,” particularly given the social pressure when "all your friends are playing this game.”
Baszucki and Eric Cassel founded Roblox in 2004, launching it publicly in 2006. Initially conceived as an educational software company, they discovered that children were more engaged with building games than completing assignments. Today valued at around $41 billion, Baszucki envisions Roblox evolving into "the future of communication," transforming into a metaverse-like experience.
(Lead image source: Unsplash)
Roblox is a highly popular platform among young players aged 8-12 and has faced several controversies over the past few years, including reports of bullying, grooming behaviors, and concerns about exposure to harmful or explicit content. Despite Baszucki’s assertion that Roblox prioritizes user safety and facilitates “amazing experiences” for millions, security issues remain a significant concern.
As one of the world's largest gaming platforms—with over 80 million daily active players as of early 2024 (approximately 40% under age 13)—Roblox hosts around four million user-generated games and experiences. Baszucki emphasized his company’s commitment to safety, stating: "Even a single incident of misconduct is too many." He highlighted the measures they take, including monitoring bullying behaviors, filtering content, and collaborating with law enforcement when necessary.
In November last year, Roblox implemented restrictions prohibiting players under 13 from sending private messages or participating in chat functions. However, BBC investigations revealed vulnerabilities within these security filters; two fake accounts posing as underage users were able to exchange messages and make inappropriate suggestions.
Justine Roberts, CEO of Mumsnet (a UK parents' forum), responded by noting the difficulty for parents to consistently monitor their children’s online activities even with parental controls in place. Podcast host Ellie Gibson argued that Baszucki’s advice could be perceived as “shirking responsibility,” particularly given the social pressure when "all your friends are playing this game.”
Baszucki and Eric Cassel founded Roblox in 2004, launching it publicly in 2006. Initially conceived as an educational software company, they discovered that children were more engaged with building games than completing assignments. Today valued at around $41 billion, Baszucki envisions Roblox evolving into "the future of communication," transforming into a metaverse-like experience.
(Lead image source: Unsplash)