Roblox is a game creation platform geared towards children, with hundreds of thousands of different experiences to play both alone and with friends. Due to their predominantly younger audience, the company has always stated child safety is their number one priority. However, a recent series of questionable actions have sent their brand image into a downward spiral.

This controversy comes after popular Roblox YouTuber “Schlep,” who makes videos consisting of catching, exposing, and jailing online predators, was banned because of what the company deemed “vigilantism.” This means Schlep was not giving proper information to the police and Roblox themselves, but instead choosing to handle it himself.

Schlep debunked this, stating he did give the proper information to both the authorities and Roblox, only they chose to take no action. When this information came out, Roblox faced even more backlash than they did before, and it all came down to when the state of Louisiana filed a lawsuit against the platform, alleging that Roblox does not do enough to protect children against sexual predators.

One instance of this was when various Roblox players and Youtubers exposed Matt Kaufman, the Chief Safety Officer of Roblox, for visiting various inappropriate games and not taking immediate action, waiting months and even years to ban them. This includes games like Public bathroom simulators and so-called condos, where scripts are used to bypass any moderation or censorship for game chats.

Along with this, a subtle shift to a seemingly mature audience has also caused uproar in the community. Some changes include the word for online friends being replaced with connections, the CEO of Roblox mentioning adding dating to the site, and a complete removal of censorship in voice chat if an account is listed as over 17 years old.

In other words, a simple photo of an ID card allows children to chat with whomever they want, unrestricted. Both parents and critics alike have been calling out the company for these actions, with PPCHS senior Issac Gonzalez saying, “Roblox should pay more attention to the player and voice chats, and they should take more accountability for the online predator problem.”

While the debate over child safety on online platforms such as Roblox continues, experts emphasize that there are numerous ways for players and parents to protect their personal information and stay safe online:

Keep Personal Information Private

Sharing personal information such as full name, birthday, school, or location may seem harmless, but it can pose a great risk to online safety. Avoid sharing information such as this to ensure there are no clues about where a person lives or who they are. Once personal information goes online, it’s hard to take it back.

Be Cautious When Chatting With Others

Online platforms can be a great way to meet and interact with new people. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone online has good intentions. Try to avoid conversations if being harassed, asked about personal information, or sent explicit content. If a conversation feels uncomfortable or pressuring, it’s best to leave it.

PPCHS junior Juan Bustamante agrees, saying online users “shouldn’t click on links that take them to unmoderated media sites, as they open the door to malicious users, scams, and other dangers.”

Report and Block Suspicious Users

Most online platforms have built-in tools to report and block players who act inappropriately. Whether it’s bullying, harassment, or asking for personal information, reporting these behaviors ensures that other players can also be protected, helping to keep the online community safe.

Adjust Privacy and Security Settings

Many gaming platforms offer privacy controls and protections that let people decide who can view their profile, send them messages, and play games with them. Taking a few minutes to review and update privacy settings can greatly reduce any unwanted interactions from other players.