How to block games on Roblox

One of today's most popular online games - Roblox -  is also one of the most risky. Family Zone can help you manage those risks by setting boundaries, or blocking the app completely, without affecting other games.

Roblox has been called "the world's most popular game you've never heard of." In fact, this massive multiplayer online game has recently outstripped even Minecraft's user numbers.  While Roblox may seem like an innocent digital playground for children, there are some disturbing issues with its online community.

What is Roblox about?

Roblox is a vast online platform where kids can create and interact in what its makers describe as "immersive 3D worlds." Players are given the opportunity to create an avatar (player) for themselves and allotted a small amount of digital money to rent a house. Money to furnish and decorate the house requires real world money, with costs adding up fast. A variety of different outfits are also available to purchase which is a huge drawcard for many young children who want to make their avatar look as cool as possible. 

Why is Roblox such a risk to children?

But additional purchases are not the biggest issue with this game - the social interaction amongst players is. The purpose of Roblox is for players to interact and make friends. This is achieved by wandering around the online world and stopping to talk with other players within an unmoderated chat feature. Like any online multiplayer game, there is little to no control over the types of people or age limits of those playing the game. Despite the fact that strict chat filters can be activated - blocking inappropriate words and phrases -  children are still susceptible to being targeted by online predators.

How can I protect my kids?

As part of Family Zone’s many helpful features, we can block Roblox from your children’s devices, without blocking other games they may be allowed to play.  The lack of moderation (despite language filters) in the chat feature and uploaded user content leaves children at risk of exposure to a worrying range of inappropriate adult content, bullying and abuse.

PROBLEM: Roblox  is keeping my child up at night

SOLUTION: A simple setting on your Family Zone account, Sleep-time, can fix the Roblox all-nighter  in the blink of an eye. Our Sleep-time setting shuts off the internet on all of your child’s devices at a time set by you. (Experts recommend an hour before bedtime.) You can even set weekend and school-night sleep-times, or make quick changes to allow or block access at any time.

PROBLEM: Roblox  is distracting my child from study

SOLUTION: With Family Zone’s Study-time setting, you can easily program your child’s device to access only educational sites and apps for whatever portion of the day you deem appropriate. Once homework is done, your child’s device switches to Play-time - including play on Roblox.

PROBLEM: My child needs a holiday from Roblox

SOLUTION:

You can now block Roblox entirely for as long or short a period as you’d like, without affecting your settings for other games or apps. Here's all you need to do: 

1. Log into our online portal
2. Click on Settings
3. Click on Age profile controls
4. Select the relevant age group (e.g. Seniors 16-17) from the drop down
5. Select Social networks and games from the drop down box
6. Type Roblox into the search bar
7. Toggle the controls (red means blocks)

On the Zone Manager parent app, click Settings > Controls > Social Networks and Games > Age Profile to view or change your child’s Roblox settings.

If it sounds as if Family Zone could help your family manage Roblox- or any other problematic game or app - why not sign up for a free trial today?

Topics: Parental Controls, Screen time, online gaming, roblox, sleep