TL;DR
- The Big Change: Roblox recently overhauled its safety settings, specifically restricting how kids under 13 can message others outside of games and requiring parent permission for certain chat features.
- Friend Requests: It’s no longer a free-for-all. You can now manage exactly who can send requests and who your child can talk to from your own device.
- The Verdict: Roblox is a social powerhouse, but without the right settings, it’s a direct line to strangers. The new updates make it much safer, but parent "buy-in" is required.
- Quick Links:
If you’ve spent more than five minutes around a middle-schooler lately, you’ve probably heard about something being "only in Ohio" or seen them doing a dance that looks like they’re glitching. Most of this culture is born, raised, and fermented inside Roblox.
For the uninitiated, Roblox isn’t just a game; it’s a massive mall where every store is a different game created by users. Some are brilliant physics puzzles, and others are... well, they’re basically "brain rot" simulators where you play as a toilet.
But the core of the experience isn't just the games—it's the social layer. It’s where kids hang out when they can’t be together in person. And for years, that social layer was a bit of a Wild West. That changed recently with some of the most significant safety updates in the platform's history.
In late 2024, Roblox finally listened to the collective sigh of exhausted parents and rolled out major changes. The biggest one? Kids under 13 can no longer send direct messages to other users outside of a specific game.
Previously, a random user could "friend" your child and then slide into their DMs (Direct Messages) on the main dashboard. Now, for the under-13 crowd, that’s largely been shut down unless you, the parent, go in and explicitly allow it through the new Parental Privileges dashboard.
Learn how to link your account to your child's Roblox account
In the physical world, we teach kids not to talk to strangers. In Roblox, "strangers" are just potential teammates for a round of BedWars or Adopt Me!.
The "Add Friend" button is the gateway. Being "friends" on Roblox allows users to:
- See when the other person is online.
- Join the same game server as their friend.
- (Depending on settings) Send private messages.
The Problem with "Friend" Inflation
Kids often treat their friend count like a high score. They’ll accept requests from anyone just to see that number go up. This is where the risk lives. If your child has 200 "friends" they don't actually know, they’ve essentially given 200 strangers a VIP pass to track their online movements and attempt to chat with them.
The Fix: Go into the Settings > Privacy tab. You can set "Who can friend me?" to "No one" or "Friends of Friends." For younger kids (ages 6-9), "No one" is a perfectly valid choice. They can still play with their real-life friends by sharing a "Private Server" link or sitting next to each other on the couch.
There are two types of chat in Roblox, and they carry very different risk profiles.
1. In-Game Chat
This is the bubble that appears over a character's head while they are playing. It is heavily filtered. If a kid tries to type a phone number, an address, or a swear word, it gets turned into hashtags (e.g., "Meet me at #######").
2. Dashboard Messaging (DMs)
This is the inbox on the main Roblox home screen. This is where the real grooming risks or bullying usually occur because it happens away from the "action" of the game.
- The New Rule: As mentioned, kids under 13 are now restricted here by default. If your child is over 13, they have more freedom, but you can still toggle these permissions off.
Check out our guide on the differences between Roblox and Minecraft safety
You can’t talk about Roblox social features without talking about Robux. The social pressure to have a "cool" avatar is intense. If your kid shows up in the default "Noob" skin, they might actually get teased by other kids in the chat. It’s the digital equivalent of wearing the wrong brand of sneakers to middle school.
Some kids do learn the basics of the "creator economy" by designing clothes or building small games. But for 95% of kids, Roblox is a spending machine.
- Pro Tip: Never save your credit card info to the app. Use gift cards. It creates a hard cap on spending and teaches them to budget their digital "allowance."
Ages 6-9: The "Lockdown" Phase
At this age, kids don't need to be chatting with anyone they don't know in real life.
- Action: Set chat to "No one" or "Friends only."
- Monitor: Play with them. See who is sending them requests. If they see a "scary" message, make sure they know to tell you without fear of getting the iPad taken away.
Ages 10-12: The "Training Wheels" Phase
This is when the social pressure peaks. They want to join groups and chat with teammates.
- Action: Allow "Friends" to chat, but keep a close eye on the friend list. Do a "Friend Audit" every month. If they don't know the person's middle name, they shouldn't be Roblox friends.
- Education: Explain why people ask to move to Discord. Explain that "free Robux" links are always scams.
Ages 13+: The "Trust but Verify" Phase
Roblox recently introduced "17+" content for verified users.
- Action: Ensure your child’s birthday is correct on their account. If they are 13, they will have access to more features, but you should still use the Parental Controls to limit spending and see who they are interacting with.
You don't need to be an expert in Blox Fruits to keep your kid safe. You just need to have the conversation.
Try saying this: "I know Roblox is where you hang out with your friends, and that’s cool. But because people we don't know also use it, I’m keeping the chat settings tight for now. If someone you don't know sends you a request or asks you for personal info, that’s a 'weird' vibe—let me know, and we’ll block them together. No big deal, no trouble."
Roblox is a phenomenal creative outlet, but its social features are the "price of admission." With the new 2024 updates, Roblox has made it much easier for us to be the "gatekeepers" without being the "fun-killers."
By linking your parent account and setting firm boundaries on friend requests, you can let them enjoy the "Skibidi" madness while keeping the creeps at bay.
Next Steps
- Log in to your child's account (or your linked parent account).
- Check the Privacy Settings: Set "Who can message me" to "Friends" or "No one."
- Audit the Friend List: Delete anyone your child doesn't know in "real life."
- Set a Spend Limit: Use the new parental controls to ensure they aren't accidentally spending $500 on a digital hat.
Read our full guide on setting up Roblox parental controls Explore age-appropriate alternatives like Minecraft Learn about the risks of Discord for younger gamers