Safe on Social

Roblox is a sandbox game that many parents think is cute and completely fine for little kids to play. It can be, if you have the proper parental controls, but most parents don’t. It is also fine if you sit and supervise your kids’ use of Roblox, but let’s be honest, we are all busy, and most of us use our kids’ gaming as time for ourselves - a little time out. And that is ok as long as you have everything set up correctly.

There is always a risk of grooming and your child seeing something that makes them feel upset or uncomfortable.

In every session that we ever hold with kids, a vast percentage say that they do not tell their parents when they see something terrible online or something happens because they are scared you will ban them from gaming.

Please never ban your kids from using games if they speak up, and if you do, you may drive every conversation you want to have with them underground and be entirely in the dark about what is going on. Absolutely ban them if they break a rule like having their phones in their room after a 6pm curfew for example. But please never ban them is they speak up. They are often just asking for help.

Recently there was a story published on the BBC that I will not share because the content is offensive. So instead, I have copied the link here, but please be advised that I am letting you know there is a big trigger warning from me before you click through. It discusses sex, Sex fetishes, sexualized violence, and anti-semitism.

If you do want to read it, you can click here:

https://www.bbc.com/news/techn...

Roblox has an issue with what we call “Condo” games. They are there for a short time (usually only an hour or so) before they are reported to or discovered by the Roblox algorithm and taken down in a reasonable attempt to keep kids safe. The rate of these “condo games” generated will only make this more complicated.

Here are a few tips for your child’s Roblox account:

Don’t use your real name or your child’s name to sign up.

Make sure your password is at least eight digits long with upper and lower-case letters, plus a number included.

Change the passwords at least every school holidays.

Enable account restrictions by clicking here and following the steps:

https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/...

Through the above link, Roblox has some great safety tips. Please take the time to work through them all with your child. They will then learn to do this with every game they use with your guidance.

Please make sure you tell them that they can talk to you about anything they see online that makes them upset or feel uncomfortable without the risk of being banned from playing.

Keep gaming consoles and use of games in the family room.

Make sure that kids know that they tell you immediately if anyone asks them to follow them on another app or game (like TikTok). If anyone asks them to be their boyfriend or girlfriend online, this happens a lot and could be online grooming. Be vigilant. These people are on the other side of a screen, and your kids are safe as long as they are brave enough to speak up and get help - an important life skill.

Make sure your kids know that if anyone threatens or bullies them on a game if they speak up and tell you or another trusted adult immediately that you can help them. Teach them how to take a screenshot. Kids always tell me that they get anxious, angry, and agitated when gaming. Especially if time up is when they are right about to complete something. Some kids, who are Neuro Diverse, often love gaming but struggle a little more than others to control their anger when they have been gaming.

One thing I have suggested, and I have seen it work through experimenting with close family and friends. Buy them a sketchbook and encourage them to draw and design their games. It is like journaling for a gamer - it calms their mind, helps them regulate, engages creativity. They love it! You will soon see them spending hours working on the drawings of the characters, writing the script and design of their game. I have even seen kids plan it right down to listing the songs they want to use in their games. We can never discount the fact that there is a lot of opportunity for kids in the gaming industry - everything from being a music producer through to gamification of training in the corporate sector. Encourage the good stuff through responsible gaming – check the classifications and set restrictions that work for you and your kids.