If your child plays Roblox, you need to read this. Roblox has over 70 million daily active users, most of them under 16. It's not inherently dangerous — but without the right settings, your child is exposed to strangers, scams, inappropriate content, and malware. This guide covers the real risks and exactly what to do about them.

Your child has probably asked you to download Roblox, or they're already playing it. You've heard the name, you've seen them glued to a screen building something or running through a colourful world, and you're wondering: is this actually safe? The short answer is that Roblox can be safe — but only if you set it up correctly. Here's everything you need to know.

What Roblox Actually Is

Roblox isn't a single game. It's a platform — think of it as a massive app store where millions of people create their own games and experiences, and anyone can play them. Your child might be playing a virtual pizza restaurant one minute, an obstacle course the next, and a role-playing game after that. All within the same app.

This is what makes Roblox both appealing and risky. The games are created by other users — not by Roblox the company. Some of those users are teenagers learning to code. Others are professional studios. And some are people who shouldn't be anywhere near children. Roblox moderates content, but with millions of user-created experiences, things slip through.

Roblox also has its own virtual currency called Robux. Kids use Robux to buy cosmetic items, game passes, and accessories for their avatar. Robux costs real money — and this is where a lot of parents get caught off guard when unexpected charges show up on their credit card.

The Real Risks Parents Need to Know About

These aren't hypothetical scenarios. We see the consequences of these risks regularly when parents bring their kids' devices in for repair.

Predatory users and groomers Roblox has in-game chat. Adults can create accounts and interact directly with children in games. Without chat restrictions enabled, strangers can send friend requests, private messages, and attempt to move conversations off-platform to Discord or social media.
In-game scams targeting kids "Free Robux" generators, phishing links shared in chat, fake trade offers that steal items, and games designed specifically to trick kids into entering their account credentials. Kids are trusting — scammers know this and exploit it.
Inappropriate content in user-created games Some user-made experiences contain violence, horror, suggestive content, or themes well beyond what's appropriate for young children. Roblox's moderation catches a lot, but it can't review every one of the millions of available experiences in real time.
Excessive and hidden spending on Robux Kids don't always understand that Robux costs real money. In-game prompts to "buy now" are designed to be frictionless. Without spending limits, children can rack up hundreds of dollars in charges before a parent notices.

The issue isn't that Roblox is bad. It's that Roblox is a massive open platform, and like any open platform, it requires parental oversight. You wouldn't drop your child in a shopping centre alone and hope for the best — the same principle applies here.

How Kids' Devices Get Infected Through Roblox

This is the part most parents don't expect. Roblox itself doesn't install malware — but the ecosystem around it absolutely does. Here's how it happens:

"Free Robux" scams

This is the single most common way kids' devices get infected. Your child watches a YouTube video or sees a social media post promising free Robux. The link takes them to a website that asks them to "verify" by downloading an app, installing a browser extension, or entering their Roblox login. The result: malware on the device, stolen account credentials, or both. There is no such thing as free Robux. Every site that claims otherwise is a scam.

Fake Roblox apps

On Android devices especially, kids sometimes download "Roblox mod" or "Roblox hack" APK files from unofficial sources. These modified apps contain malware — keyloggers, adware, or spyware that runs silently in the background. Only ever install Roblox from the official App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

Malicious browser extensions

Extensions promising "Robux generators," "Roblox FPS boosters," or "free skins" are a common vector for adware and spyware. Once installed, these extensions can read everything your child types in the browser — including passwords for other accounts — inject ads into every webpage, and redirect searches to phishing sites.

Phishing through Discord and social media

Many Roblox players are also active on Discord, TikTok, and YouTube. Scammers share links in these spaces disguised as game codes, exclusive items, or beta access. Clicking these links leads to credential phishing pages that look identical to the real Roblox login screen.

If your child has ever searched for "free Robux" or "Roblox hacks," assume their device may be compromised. Check for unknown browser extensions, unfamiliar apps, and run a malware scan. If you're unsure, bring the device in for a professional malware removal.

Setting Up Roblox Parental Controls

Roblox has solid built-in parental controls — but they're not enabled by default. You need to set them up yourself. Here's how, step by step:

  1. Log into your child's Roblox account on a computer or phone. Go to Settings (the gear icon) and then select Parental Controls.
  2. Set a parental PIN. This is critical. Without a PIN, your child can change every setting back the moment you walk away. Choose a PIN they won't guess — not their birthday, not 1234.
  3. Enable Account Restrictions. This limits your child to a curated list of age-appropriate experiences and disables unrestricted chat. This is the single most important setting for younger children.
  4. Set the correct age on the account. Roblox uses the account age to determine content eligibility. If your child lied about their age when creating the account (very common), fix it now. Accounts for children under 13 have stricter default filtering.
  5. Configure chat settings. You can set chat to "No one," "Friends," or "Everyone." For children under 10, consider disabling chat entirely. For older kids, restrict it to friends only.
  6. Set monthly spending limits. Under Parental Controls, you can cap how much Robux can be purchased per month — or disable purchases entirely and only add Robux manually through gift cards.
  7. Review connected third-party apps. Check if your child has authorised any third-party applications to access their Roblox account. Revoke any you don't recognise.

For detailed instructions on every parental control option, visit the official Roblox parental controls page: roblox.com/parental-controls

Device-Level Protection: Your Second Line of Defence

Roblox parental controls handle what happens inside Roblox. But your child's device needs its own layer of protection to prevent them from downloading malware, accessing harmful content, or circumventing restrictions through the browser.

iPhone / iPad Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Block app installs from unknown sources, set age ratings for apps, restrict web content, and require a passcode for purchases. You can also set daily time limits for Roblox specifically.
Android Use Google Family Link (free). Create a supervised account for your child. You can approve or block app installs, set daily screen time limits, lock the device at bedtime, see which apps they're using and for how long, and filter Google Chrome content.
Windows PC Settings > Accounts > Family. Add your child as a family member. Set screen time schedules, app and game limits by age rating, web filtering through Microsoft Edge, and activity reporting so you can see what they've been doing.

The most effective protection is layers. Roblox parental controls handle the game. Device-level controls handle everything else. Neither is sufficient on its own.

Signs Your Child's Device Is Compromised

Kids don't always tell you when something goes wrong — either because they don't realise it, or because they're worried they'll get in trouble. Watch for these warning signs:

Pop-ups and ads appearing everywhere If ads are appearing on the home screen, inside apps that normally don't have ads, or as browser pop-ups that won't close — adware has been installed, likely through a fake Robux extension or downloaded app.
Apps they didn't install Unfamiliar apps appearing on the device is a strong indicator of malware. Some malware installs additional apps silently to generate ad revenue or harvest data. Check the app list regularly.
Device running unusually slow or hot Malware running in the background consumes processing power and battery. If the device is suddenly sluggish, overheating, or the battery drains much faster than usual, something may be running that shouldn't be.
Unexpected charges on your account Check your bank and app store purchase history. Kids may have unknowingly authorised purchases through scam apps, or their account credentials may have been stolen and used to make purchases.
Roblox account behaving strangely Items missing from their inventory, friends they didn't add, messages they didn't send, or being locked out of their account entirely — all signs the account has been compromised.
Browser homepage or search engine changed If Chrome or Safari suddenly opens to a different page, or searches redirect through an unfamiliar site, a malicious browser extension or adware has been installed.

For a more detailed guide on identifying and responding to compromised devices, read our full article: How to Tell If You've Been Hacked.

What to Do If Their Account Is Hacked or Device Is Infected

If their Roblox account has been compromised:

  1. Reset the password immediately. Go to the Roblox login page and use "Forgot Password." If the email on the account has been changed, contact Roblox Support directly.
  2. Enable two-step verification. In Settings > Security, turn on 2-Step Verification using an authenticator app. This prevents anyone from logging in without access to the authenticator.
  3. Check for unauthorised purchases and trades. Review the transaction history and trade log. If items or Robux have been stolen, note the details for your support request.
  4. Contact Roblox Support. Submit a request through the Roblox Support page. They can help restore stolen items and secure the account. Include as much detail as possible about what happened.
  5. Change passwords on other accounts that used the same credentials. If your child used the same password for their email, school accounts, or other games — change those immediately.

If their device is infected with malware:

  1. Disconnect from the internet. Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data to prevent the malware from sending data or downloading additional payloads.
  2. Remove suspicious browser extensions. Open every browser on the device and check the extensions list. Remove anything you don't recognise or that your child can't explain.
  3. Uninstall unfamiliar apps. Go through the full app list and remove anything that doesn't belong. On Android, check for apps with generic names and no icon — these are often malware.
  4. Run a malware scan. Use Malwarebytes (free version available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS) to scan the device. Follow the prompts to quarantine and remove anything it finds.
  5. Update the operating system and all apps. Install every pending update. These patches fix security vulnerabilities that malware may have exploited to gain access.
  6. If the problem persists, get professional help. Some malware — particularly spyware and rootkits — is designed to survive basic removal attempts. If the device is still behaving strangely after these steps, bring it in for professional virus and malware removal.

It's Not Just Roblox: Fortnite, Discord, YouTube — Same Risks Apply

Everything in this guide applies beyond Roblox. The platforms change, but the tactics are the same:

  • Fortnite: "Free V-Bucks" scams are identical to "Free Robux" scams — fake generators, phishing pages, malware downloads. Epic Games has its own parental controls that you should configure.
  • Discord: The most common platform where kids are targeted after meeting them in Roblox or Fortnite. Strangers can send direct messages, share malicious links, and invite kids to unmoderated servers. Restrict DMs from non-friends in Discord's privacy settings.
  • YouTube: Kids searching for game cheats, hacks, and free currency watch videos that contain scam links in the description. Consider using YouTube Kids for younger children, or setting up supervised accounts through Google Family Link for older ones.
  • TikTok: Scam links are shared in comments and bios. Kids follow gaming accounts that promote "free" item generators. Set TikTok to Restricted Mode and link it to a Family Pairing account.

The principle is always the same: if someone online is offering something for free that normally costs money — Robux, V-Bucks, game codes, premium accounts — it's a scam. Teach your child this one rule and you'll prevent the majority of issues.

Teaching Kids About Online Safety

Parental controls are essential, but they're not a substitute for conversation. Kids need to understand why these risks exist, not just be shielded from them — because eventually they'll be old enough to bypass any control you set up.

For younger children (under 10)

  • Keep it simple: "Some people online pretend to be kids but aren't. Never tell anyone your real name, where you live, what school you go to, or share photos of yourself."
  • "Free" means trouble: "If something in a game says it's free but asks you to click a link or download something, always come tell me first. Those are tricks."
  • Play together: Sit with them while they play. Ask about the games they like. This normalises conversation about their online activity and makes them more likely to come to you when something feels wrong.

For older children (10-14)

  • Explain how scams work: Show them a "free Robux" website and walk through why it's fake. Teach them to recognise phishing — misspelled URLs, urgent language, requests for login details.
  • Talk about social pressure: Friends might share links or dare them to visit certain sites. Give them a script: "My parents check my phone" is an easy way to say no without losing face.
  • Discuss money and spending: Explain that Robux is real money. Set a budget together so they learn to manage it rather than having it taken away entirely.
  • Make reporting safe: Make it clear that they will never get in trouble for telling you something that happened online. If they're afraid of being punished, they'll hide problems until they get much worse.

Australian Resources for Online Safety

These are official resources specifically designed to help Australian families navigate online safety:

eSafety Commissioner Australia's independent regulator for online safety. Provides guides for parents, reporting tools for cyberbullying and harmful content, and resources for schools. esafety.gov.au
Roblox Parental Controls Official Roblox resource for parents with step-by-step instructions for every parental control setting, age recommendations, and safety features. roblox.com/parental-controls
eSafety — Roblox Safety Guide The eSafety Commissioner's dedicated guide to Roblox safety settings, written specifically for Australian parents and carers. esafety.gov.au/parents
ReportCyber — Australian Cyber Security Centre If your child has been targeted by a scam, identity theft, or online predator, report it to the Australian government's cybercrime reporting portal. cyber.gov.au/report

When to Get Professional Help

Bring your child's device to a professional if:

  • Malware won't go away — you've tried removing suspicious apps and extensions, but pop-ups, redirects, or sluggish performance continue
  • You suspect spyware or a keylogger — someone may be capturing everything your child types, including passwords and messages
  • The device was used to click scam links — even if it "seems fine," phishing payloads can sit dormant or operate invisibly
  • Multiple accounts have been compromised — if the breach has spread from Roblox to email, school, or other accounts, the device itself may be the source
  • You just want peace of mind — a professional inspection can confirm the device is clean and help you set up the right protections going forward

You don't need to be a tech expert to keep your kids safe online. You just need to know what to look for, set up the right controls, and keep the conversation going. And when something goes wrong, get help early — before it gets worse.

Worried about your child's device?

We help Central Coast families clean up infected devices, remove malware, and set up proper parental controls every week. Book a session and we'll make sure your child's device is safe.

Book a Device Checkup