"Parent seeking Roblox Safety Help": Comparing Parental Roblox Concerns to Roblox Offerings

Due to greater accessibility, diverse game options, and the social experiences provided by gaming platforms, the number of children engaging with the Roblox platform has increased over time. This increase in gaming from children of all ages has led to the parental challenge of balancing child safety with fun. Although parents typically know when their children are online, it can be challenging to trust that Roblox will protect data and minimize risky experiences due to the publicized criticisms of inadequate protections and the requirement of parent engagement. In this study, we examine parental Roblox concerns by (1) reviewing the game’s privacy policy and features, (2) characterizing parental concerns expressed on Reddit, and (3) surveying adults about their Roblox opinions. Our findings indicate gaps exist between what safety features Roblox provides and what parents need. Additionally, Roblox could improve how they convey their privacy and security practices to players and parents.