If you feel like Roblox is a confusing fever dream of Skibidi Toilet avatars and kids saying "that’s so Ohio" (which apparently just means "weird" now, sorry to the Buckeye State), you aren't alone.

The most important thing to understand is that Roblox isn't a single game. It’s a platform—like a digital mall or a massive playground where every "game" is actually an "experience" built by someone else. Some of these creators are professional studios; others are 14-year-olds in their bedrooms trying to make a buck.

Because it’s all user-generated, the quality and safety vary wildly. One minute your kid is playing a beautiful, serene bird simulator, and the next they’ve accidentally wandered into a "horror" game that’s basically a jump-scare factory.

For years, Roblox parental controls were, frankly, a bit of a mess. You had to log into your child’s account, set a PIN, and hope they didn't figure it out. As of the latest 2025/2026 updates, the platform has finally stepped up.

Roblox has replaced the vague "All Ages" ratings with specific descriptors.

The big win: Kids under 9 are now restricted to "Minimal" and "Mild" content by default. If they want to play something "Moderate," you have to manually approve it.

You can now link your parent account to your child’s account. This means you can see who they’re talking to, how much time they’re spending, and set spend limits from your own device. No more hovering over their shoulder like a digital ghost.

In a massive move for privacy, users under 13 can no longer send direct messages to other users outside of the actual games unless a parent specifically toggles that permission on. This shuts down a lot of the "predator-lite" behavior where strangers would try to lure kids onto Discord or other unmonitored platforms.

Learn more about setting up these new parental controls

Let’s talk about the "Robux" in the room. Roblox is free to play, but it is designed to make your child feel like a "noob" if they don’t have cool skins or "game passes."

Is it teaching entrepreneurship? Maybe 1% of the time. If your kid is actually using Roblox Studio to learn Lua coding and design their own levels, then yes, they are learning valuable skills.

But for most elementary kids, Roblox is a spending simulator. Games like Pet Simulator 99 use "gacha" mechanics—essentially digital slot machines where kids spend Robux for a chance to get a rare pet. It’s dopamine-heavy and can lead to some very "Ohio" behavior at the dinner table when you say no to more credits.

Pro-tip: Instead of a recurring allowance, consider using Robux as a "commission" for chores. It makes the digital currency feel "real" and puts a hard cap on the bank account drain.

Check out our guide on whether Robux is "real" money

If you’re looking to steer your kid toward experiences that aren't total "brain rot," here are our current top picks for the 6-10 age group:

This is the heavyweight champion of Roblox. Kids hatch eggs, raise pets, and decorate houses. It’s mostly wholesome, though the "trading" aspect can get competitive.

It’s a massive open-world roleplay game. There are no "goals" other than hanging out, owning a house, and driving cars. It’s the digital equivalent of playing with a Barbie Dreamhouse or Hot Wheels.

Think of this as The Sims but inside Roblox. Kids have to get "jobs" (like delivering pizza) to earn money to build their houses.

A much more relaxed "grind" game. You collect pollen, make honey, and upgrade your bees. It’s less "flashy" than other simulators and has a surprisingly deep strategy element.

Despite the new rules, Roblox isn't a "set it and forget it" platform. Here’s what to keep an eye on:

Ask our chatbot about age-appropriate alternatives to Roblox

Instead of being the "screen time police," try being a "tourist" in their world. Ask them:

If they’re using "brain rot" slang, lean into it. Tell them their dinner is "skibidi" or that their clean room is "high aura." They will find it incredibly cringey, which is the ultimate parental power move.

Roblox in 2026 is significantly safer than it was in 2022, but it’s still a "wild west" of content. The new mandatory age checks and remote parent management are game-changers.

If your child is under 9, the platform is now a much more curated experience. If they’re 10-12, the "Moderate" content gate gives you a perfect opportunity to have a conversation about what they’re ready for.

It’s not perfect—the monetization is still predatory and the graphics are still "blocky"—but as a digital playground, it’s where their friends are. With the right toggles flipped, it can be a creative, social outlet rather than just a bank account drain.

Read our full guide on digital wellness for elementary students