If you think Roblox is a game, you’re already behind. Roblox is an ecosystem. It’s more like YouTube than Super Mario. It provides the tools and the hosting, and the users provide the content.

When your kid "plays Roblox," they are entering a portal to millions of individual games (called "experiences") created by other users—some of whom are professional studios making millions of dollars, and some of whom are 12-year-olds in their bedrooms.

It is the definitive "digital mall" for Gen Alpha. It’s where they hang out, show off their "fit" (avatar outfits), and use slang that makes us feel 100 years old. If something is "Ohio" (weird/cringe) or they’re obsessed with Skibidi Toilet parodies, they probably found it here.

There is a very real version of Roblox that is basically a junior MBA and a Computer Science degree rolled into one.

This is the engine where games are built. Unlike Minecraft, which is mostly about logic and "redstone" engineering, Roblox uses a real programming language called Luau (a version of Lua).

If your child creates a popular "shirt" for an avatar or a successful game, they can earn Robux. Once they hit a certain threshold, they can actually "DevEx" (Developer Exchange) that digital currency for real USD. Learn more about how the Roblox Developer Exchange works

In games like Welcome to Bloxburg, kids actually have to "work" jobs (like delivering pizza) to earn money to build their houses. It’s a surprisingly effective lesson in inflation and the value of a dollar, even if that dollar is purple and hexagonal.

Now for the "no-BS" part: a huge percentage of Roblox is designed to be addictive and expensive.

Games like Pet Simulator 99 or Adopt Me! are built on "gacha" mechanics. This is essentially gambling-lite. You spend Robux for a chance to get a "Legendary" pet. The dopamine hit when they get a rare item is the same one adults get at a slot machine.

The term "noob" in Roblox isn't just about skill; it's about appearance. If a kid is wearing the default "free" skin, they are often bullied or excluded in social games. This creates a massive "need" to buy digital clothes to fit in. It’s the 2026 version of needing the right brand of sneakers in middle school.

Because the algorithm rewards engagement, the front page is often littered with low-effort "Obbys" (obstacle courses) or "Tycoons" that are essentially just clicking buttons for hours. These offer zero educational value and are the digital equivalent of eating a bowl of pure sugar.

Check out our guide on identifying high-quality vs. low-quality games

According to Screenwise community data, about 50% of kids have tried Roblox by 2nd grade, and by 5th grade, it's nearly universal. Here’s how to handle the stages:

At this age, kids lack the impulse control to handle Robux.

This is the peak Roblox era.

If they’re still on it, encourage them to stop being a consumer.

We have to be real: Roblox has had significant issues with predatory behavior. Because it is a social network, people can talk to your kids.

Ask our chatbot for a script to talk to your child about online predators

If you see your kid playing a game where they are literally just "working" at a grocery store or a pizza shop, don't laugh.

This game is a fascinating study in sociology. Players have to manage "moods" (hunger, hygiene) and work jobs to afford furniture. It teaches delayed gratification. If they want the "cool" house, they have to deliver 500 pizzas. That’s a better lesson than any textbook.

This is basically "Business Management 101." You have to manage staff, upgrade your kitchen, and deal with customer reviews. It’s stressful, it’s frantic, and it’s actually educational.

Roblox isn't inherently "good" or "bad." It’s a tool.

If your kid is spending 4 hours a day in "Skibidi Toilet Tower Defense" screaming for more Robux to buy a "Titan Cameraman," they are in the Money Pit. It’s time to set some boundaries and maybe steer them toward Minecraft or Scratch.

But if they are opening Roblox Studio, complaining about a "script error" in their Luau code, or trying to figure out how to market their new "Obby," they are in CEO Training. Lean into that. Buy them the $20 coding book and treat it like a serious hobby.

Check out our full guide on Roblox Safety and Privacy Settings