Roblox Decrypted: More Than Just a Child's Game

The world of Roblox

Have you heard that Roblox even overtook YouTube in the US in 2017, at least among children under 13? That's true, and the impressive number of 25.5 million monthly users in this age group speaks volumes: Roblox is in.

But what exactly is it that fascinates the youngest people so much about this online game? It is the almost limitless freedom in designing your own virtual worlds. These worlds, which are often reminiscent of LEGO and Minecraft, are filled with self-developed mini-games. These are created in Roblox Studio.

The first steps

Before you start, you register. And what awaits you? An avatar! From the haircut to the shoes, this digital doppelganger can be personalized down to the smallest detail. But Roblox has much more to offer than just fashion experiments.

The “Roblox Studio”, a simplified programming interface, is the heart of the game. Here players can create cities, theme parks or even complex social simulations. Of course, functions for social networking of players are also available: friend lists, chats and much more.

Privacy and data collection

Roblox, like many other modern apps, collects and uses user data. Personal data such as the password and user name are transmitted to the provider during the registration process. In addition, tracking of users and their devices is possible. For this purpose, an ID is transmitted to market analysts such as “AppsFlyer”. These practices can cause players, especially children, to become unintentionally glassed.

In 2019, Stiftung Warentest described Roblox’s data protection practices as “unacceptable”. The main criticisms were the extensive data collection and the inadequate data protection declaration. In particular, it is criticized that the data protection declaration is not designed to be child-friendly and is only available in English.

Problems with user-generated content

One of Roblox's biggest selling points - the ability for users to create and share their own games - is also its Achilles heel. While this leads to a flood of creative and entertaining content, problematic content is also produced. Some of the games on Roblox contain violent depictions in the form of “shooters”. Despite their childish, pixelated graphics, these are not suitable for younger players.

Even more worrying are games with extremist, hate-mongering or racist content. Stiftung Warentest has discovered games that aim to denigrate certain ethnic or religious groups. Content was also found that showed symbols of extremist organizations, such as: B. the flags of the “Islamic State”. These results raise serious doubts about whether Roblox's controls over user-generated content are working.

Light and shadow

As is often the case, there are two sides to the coin here too. The ever-increasing supply of user-generated content can prove to be both a blessing and a curse.

• Cost trap in-app purchases : Yes, Roblox is basically free. But be careful: the tempting in-app purchases can quickly become expensive. The game currency “Robux” is particularly popular. Although the developers don't incentivize purchases, many mini-game developers do. It is therefore important to educate younger players in particular about the mechanisms and financial background of in-app purchases.
• Privacy concerns : Personal information is requested during registration, and this information is also shared with third parties. This was criticized by Stiftung Warentest, particularly with regard to the data protection declaration, which is neither child-friendly nor available in German.
• Not every player is a child : Chatting in Roblox involves risks. It cannot be guaranteed whether there is actually a child behind a child-like avatar. Educating children about the dangers and safe use of chat is essential.
• Unwanted Content : Some games on Roblox can be violent or even offensive. Despite the control mechanisms, unsuitable content often appears.

More security, less worries

However, parents can breathe a sigh of relief. Because Roblox offers various security settings. These include, for example, account restrictions to block inappropriate games and chats or “age visibility”, which can be used to set settings suitable for children.

Conclusion

Roblox is undoubtedly a creative platform and an impressive online phenomenon. However, as with many online platforms, it is important that users and parents are informed and vigilant. Knowing the rewards and risks helps to have a safer and more satisfying gaming experience.

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