Your child keeps asking about Roblox — or you've already seen them playing it for hours. Here's everything you actually need to know, explained simply.
What is Roblox?
Roblox is an online platform where players can play games, create games, and socialize with others.It's not a single game — it's more like an app store for games, except all the games are made by other players using Roblox's free game-building tools.
Think of it this way:
- YouTube is a platform where anyone can upload videos
- Roblox is a platform where anyone can upload games
Players create an avatar (a blocky cartoon character), browse millions of games, and play them for free. Some games charge Robux (Roblox's in-game currency) for extra features.
How Old is Roblox and Who Plays It?
Roblox was founded in 2004 and became massively popular around 2016-2020. Today it has over 380 million registered accounts and around 80 million daily active users.
The typical Roblox player is between 6 and 16 years old, though the platform is officially for ages 13+ (with parental permission for younger children). A significant portion of the player base is under 13.
What Do Kids Actually Do on Roblox?
This surprises most parents: kids don't just play games on Roblox — they socialise, create, and build.
Playing games: Roblox has games in basically every genre — obstacle courses, role-playing games, simulators, horror, racing, fighting, and more. The most popular games have hundreds of millions of plays.
Hanging out: Many kids use Roblox the way older generations used the phone — to hang out with friends. Games like Brookhaven and MeepCity are essentially virtual hangout spaces.
Creating: Roblox Studio is a free game-building tool included with Roblox. Many kids spend hours learning to build worlds and games.
Collecting: Players customize their avatars with thousands of accessories, outfits, and items from the Avatar Shop.
What is Robux?
Robux is the virtual currency used in Roblox. Players use it to:
- Buy accessories and outfits for their avatar
- Unlock features in games
- Purchase game passes
Robux is bought with real money. The exchange rate is roughly 100 Robux = $1 USD.Players cannot exchange Robux back into real money (unless they're a game developer with Roblox Premium and meet specific thresholds).
Common Robux packages:
- 400 Robux — $4.99
- 800 Robux — $9.99
- 1,700 Robux — $19.99
- 4,500 Robux — $49.99
Is Roblox a Video Game?
Technically, Roblox is a gaming platformrather than a single video game. The games on Roblox are made entirely by other users — mostly teens and young adults — using Roblox's built-in tools. This is why the quality and content of games varies enormously.
Is Roblox Free?
The Roblox app is free to download and most games are free to play. However:
- Many games have optional in-game purchases using Robux
- Some games require Robux to access certain areas or features
- Avatar customization items cost Robux
- Roblox Premium (a monthly subscription) gives extra Robux and perks
A child can play Roblox for free indefinitely — but they will almost certainly ask for Robux at some point.
How is Roblox Different From Minecraft?
Parents often compare the two since both are popular with kids and involve blocky graphics.
| Roblox | Minecraft | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Gaming platform | Single game |
| Content | Millions of user-made games | One game world |
| Social | Heavily social | Can be solo or social |
| Cost | Free (Robux purchases) | One-time purchase ~$30 |
| Age rating | 13+ (E10+ on consoles) | 7+ |
| Chat | Yes, with filters | Yes, can be disabled |
What Devices Can Kids Play Roblox On?
- PC (Windows)
- Mac
- iPhone and iPad
- Android phones and tablets
- Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
- Amazon devices (Fire tablets)
Roblox is not available on PlayStation or Nintendo Switch.
What Are the Risks?
Roblox is generally safe, but parents should know about these risks:
In-game purchases:It's easy for children to spend Robux quickly without realizing the real-money cost.
Chat with strangers: By default, players can chat with anyone. This can be limited in settings.
User-generated content: Since games are made by users, some games contain inappropriate themes. Roblox moderates content but things slip through.
Scams: There are many scam websites pretending to offer free Robux. These steal account credentials.
All of these risks can be significantly reduced with proper parental controls. See our complete parental controls guide.
FAQs
Is Roblox safe for a 7-year-old?
With parental controls enabled — Account Restrictions on, chat set to No one, no saved payment method — yes. See our setup guide.
Do parents need an account to monitor their child?
No, but you do need access to your child's account to configure the settings.
Can my child get addicted to Roblox?
Roblox is designed to be engaging, and some children do struggle to limit their time. Setting clear screen time rules before your child starts playing is easier than trying to introduce them later.
Why do all the characters look like toy figures?
That's Roblox's signature art style — blocky, toy-like avatars. It's a deliberate design choice and part of what gives Roblox its distinct look.