Roblox Safety Measures Questioned by Independent Developer

An independent game developer working on Roblox has questioned the platform’s child safety measures, despite the introduction of mandatory age verification checks in the United Kingdom (UK) earlier this year.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, the developer, who asked not to be named, said parents should supervise children using Roblox “around the clock” and suggested that those unable to do so should reconsider allowing access altogether.

Roblox, which is used by children worldwide, is the most popular gaming platform among eight to 12-year-olds in the UK and averages more than 80 million daily users globally.

The developer, referred to as Sam made the claim after hearing an interview with Matt Kaufman, who outlined the platform’s safety systems, including age verification checks rolled out in January 2026 for all UK users.

Sam, who is contracted by Roblox as an independent creator and also volunteers with a non-profit online safety organisation, said his experience did not match that public portrayal.

“I’ve seen first-hand how safety is nothing like it’s presented,” he said, alleging that some harmful content and behaviour remained accessible to young users.

Roblox allows users to create and monetise their own games or play those made by others. 

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Creators are required to provide descriptions and content maturity labels to guide age-appropriate access. 

Some developers earn revenue through advertising, paid access or the company’s creator programme, which rewards engagement.

Critics argue the platform should do more to protect younger users, with questions ranging from exposure to inappropriate content to allegations of grooming. 

Sam disclosed he had encountered cases where users were encouraged to move conversations off the platform, something Roblox rules prohibit.

He also claimed that moderation reports were inconsistently acted upon, estimating that only a minority resulted in enforcement action

Asked what guidance he would give parents new to the platform, Sam reiterated his view that constant supervision was essential.

In response, Roblox said safety remained “a top priority” and that it took swift action against rule-breaking accounts. 

A spokesperson said its age verification system was certified by independent experts and restricted children, by default, to communicating with users of a similar age.

“We also continuously monitor behaviour,” the company said, adding that users could be asked to reverify their age if activity did not align with previous checks.