Families across the UAE will notice changes on Roblox, one of the world’s most popular online gaming platforms, as the company has temporarily disabled chat features for players in the country. The decision follows discussions between Roblox and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Here’s a parent’s guide to safe gaming.

What is Robolox

Roblox is one of the world’s most popular online platforms, especially among children and teens. It’s free to download and play across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire devices, PCs, Macs, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox Series X|S. There’s even a VR version available for Meta Quest 2/3, Meta Quest Pro, HTC Vive, and Valve Index.

With millions of “experiences” (games created by users) available, Roblox can be a fun, creative, and social space for kids. But like any online platform, parents need to understand what their children are accessing.

Labels for Different Experiences

Roblox doesn’t use ESRB or PEGI ratings. Instead, it has its own content maturity labels to help parents identify the type of material in each experience.

Here’s what they mean:

• Minimal
  • May include: occasional mild violence, light unrealistic blood, and/or mild fear.
• Mild
  • May include: repeated mild violence, heavier, unrealistic blood, mild crude humour, and/or repeated mild fear.
• Moderate
  • May include: moderate violence, light realistic blood, stronger crude humour, unplayable gambling references, and/or moderate fear.
• Restricted (17+)
  • May include: strong violence, heavy, realistic blood, romantic themes, crude humour, alcohol, gambling references, strong language, and/or moderate fear.
  • Only available to players who are age-verified with an official ID.

Tips for Parents

While Roblox provides parental controls and the ability to manage allowed experiences, there are additional steps you can take to create a safe and positive environment for your kids:

1. Start with a Family Conversation
   Call a family meeting to talk openly about video games. Set household rules for when, where, and how long kids can play Roblox. Keep the conversation positive, acknowledge the fun and creativity of gaming while explaining boundaries.
2. Set Up Parental Controls
   Back up household rules by using Roblox’s parental controls. You can manage what experiences your child can access, set spending limits, and control who can communicate with them in-game.
3. Stay Engaged
   Take an interest in your child’s Roblox world. Ask them to show you the games they enjoy, play together when possible, and encourage them to share anything unusual or uncomfortable they encounter.
4. Encourage Balance
   Remind kids that gaming is just one activity among many. Encourage outdoor play, reading, sports, and family time to ensure balance.