 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Roblox
Common Sense Media says
Game creator nurtures skills, but games can be violent.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a game-creation site where users design and upload their own games, as well as play other games in a multi-player environment. Some of the gameplay is advanced, and many games employ weapons. The site provides a super-safe chat mode for those under 13, as well as a parent log-in where you can oversee your child's use of the site.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to design virtual worlds and games, and also get user feedback on their work. While there is a wiki with detailed design information, using Roblox' basic design tool can be confusing. Kids will find that they need to reach out to the active player community for help; a tutorial or built-in site-provided feedback would be helpful. The potential of Roblox really shines when you see kids progress from building simple mazes to more complex cityscapes. Collaborating with other users builds teamwork skills along with game design knowledge.
Subjects
- Language & Readingfollowing directions, presenting to others
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Artsdrawing, playing
- Hobbies
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning
- Creativitycombining knowledge, imagination
- Self-Directiongoal-setting, set objectives, work to achieve goals
- Emotional Development
- Communicationasking questions, multiple forms of expression
- Collaboration
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skillsdigital creation, using and applying technology
- Health & Fitness
What's it about?
ROBLOX provides scripting tips and design elements to help budding designers create and contribute games and activities. Most games are free to play; you need to register to tweak your avatar or friend users. Roblox’s main drawbacks include inconsistency -- novice developers make the games, so quality can vary -- and you need to download an installer to play. Younger kids may also find some games a bit scary. However, parents will likely be pleased with some of the safety features, which let them monitor their child’s activity and account settings.
Is it any good?
The beauty of Roblox.com is that the site features a never-ending (and continually evolving) supply of creative and fun challenges to explore. The creativity of thousands of young developers is often exciting, amusing, and inspiring -- places range from simple obstacle courses to full cities. Unfortunately, when you get amateur developers, you also often get amateur development, occasionally resulting in rendering problems, onscreen flicker, and some extremely frustrating gameplay -- particularly when navigating mazes or jumping.
Gameplay issues aside, Roblox.com gets high marks for encouraging exploration, interaction and, above all, huge amounts of creativity in its users. By allowing kids to begin as player/explorers and evolve into experienced users and developers, this is a site that grows along with your child. Just be aware that the games can get violent.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about interacting with others while pursuing one's own goals. The site puts users in the position of choosing cooperation versus conflict in simulated real-world situations where the user needs to work with, against, or around another user in order to achieve his or her goals. Was it a good idea to jump over the other player in a rush to complete the course, or would it have been better to watch him attempt the course and let him show you the best path to choose?
What potential dangers could occur when you meet strangers online? What kind of information should you never give out about yourself to someone you don't know? Talk to your kids about protecting their privacy online.
It's easy to spend a lot of time on game sites. Help your family set limits on the amount of time spent online.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to design virtual worlds and games, and also get user feedback on their work. While there is a wiki with detailed design information, using Roblox' basic design tool can be confusing. Kids will find that they need to reach out to the active player community for help; a tutorial or built-in site-provided feedback would be helpful. The potential of Roblox really shines when you see kids progress from building simple mazes to more complex cityscapes. Collaborating with other users builds teamwork skills along with game design knowledge.
Subjects
- Language & Reading: following directions, presenting to others
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
- Arts: drawing, playing
- Hobbies:
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning:
- Creativity: combining knowledge, imagination
- Self-Direction: goal-setting, set objectives, work to achieve goals
- Emotional Development:
- Communication: asking questions, multiple forms of expression
- Collaboration:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills: digital creation, using and applying technology
- Health & Fitness:
How kids will learn
Roblox offers a virtual design tool to help users craft virtual worlds and activities; more detailed instruction is available on a separate Wiki site. However, kids are likely to learn almost as much from playing, and chatting about, the user-contributed games. Roblox’s message boards let users pose design questions, offer scripting advice, and discuss technical issues. Designers can find out how to improve their creations. Users seem to aggressively self-police the boards, so posts are generally supportive and clean.
How parents can help
• Help kids test out the programming tips and create a game.
• Play games together and discuss what elements could be improved.
• Introduce your kids to word puzzles and other learning-focused activities.
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- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 13 years old
June 14, 2010
AGE
For Any Age
I love this website. You can go onto games and fight or play minigames or anything. The violence is not bad, you can use rockets/bombs/paintball guns/bouncey balls/sling shots/and many other things. This is not bloody. Your kids can learn about scripting, which is an essential when it comes to video game designing, and you can build whatever you want. Parents, there is no filter with language, ive ran into some people who have a tongue of a sailor. (means they cuss alot) but they get banned and cant get back on ROBLOX. You can buy things in the catalog (not real money, your character earns something called tix/robux that you use to buy other things.) And there is one more thing, ROBLOX players can put anything on their game. You have something called decals that you can paint on walls or your house or anything. Sometimes there is blood on walls, but thats only at like a zombie game or something. This also requires a download to play the games, which isnt alot of MB. Administrators are always standing by to make sure your child is safe, like if someone posted a decal of freddy krueger and admin would check the picture and deny it to be uploaded on ROBLOX. So you dont need to worry about anything image wise. There is a 1 in a thousand change that you will find a game where someone cusses. There is a report button too, that you can click put in the characters name, and tell them what theyve said or done something wrong. And the word "noob"is common. This is not a bad word. If you did something stupid people would call you a noob. This just mean you are new to the game or acting like you are. You can make many friends, and if you have any questions, go to the forum, and ask it. Users respond almost immediately and will help you with your problems.
What other families should know:
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Adult
November 6, 2010
AGE
Waring to parents - abuse not handled well by moderators
Parents be warned - the moderation on this site is less than fair. My son reported an abuse and he was reprimanded as if he were at fault. Then I complained to the only email address I could find for contacting them (I happened to see the abuse) and my kid's account was then banned for 3 days for violating the TOS (although when you read the TOS it does not state this as an offence). So he is victimized both ways, thank you. Great lesson for kids by the people at Roblox.
The language used by the gamers is less than desirable and poorly moderated, the focus of the games are generally violent which is inappropriate for the younger crowd. Roblox loads software to your computer which I have found to be invasive and interferes with my loaded programs. Uninstalling is not a clean process either.
All in all, try a free account and then spend your money on at home video games for family and friends.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 10 years old
October 2, 2009
AGE
ITS AWESOME
Roblox is a kid friendly website that needs a download to play. But it IS viris free and is truste aprooved. This safe online game is fun and is a good way to keep in touch with your friends. And one more good feature, if you are under 13 years of age you are needed to use safe mode. safe mode is a feature that makes you use a series of pre-written senteces that are safe. if you curse it will filter the word and you will be banned.
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Teen, 13 years old
May 26, 2009
AGE
An excellent game
I am Zacmac1997, who won WPBC. Roblox is well thought of, and is mostly aged for 10 year olds.One problem is language because in almost every game,( though with report button), People Cuss. But, you can report them.
Another problem is diffuculty. The building aspect can be extremely hard.
But, if you find out how to play, this game can become addicting!
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Teen, 14 years old
February 17, 2011
AGE
Not as good.
It used to be fun in it's younger stages, but there are too many "noobs" (as people on the site call them), or kids that don't really know what they're doing, or they are obnoxious. It really ruins the site
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Teen, 16 years old
February 18, 2011
AGE
Hmm...
I'm 16. I don't know why I play roblox but I guess I wanted to try it out. Off Topic, TONS of innapropriate forums and tons of trolls. Every other word seems to make another user mad. Safety is also a problem. You can even give out where you live in the SAFE chat. To me that's just messed up. I don't think I'm going to stick to roblox.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
March 15, 2010
AGE
Good site, just make sure to monitor your kids
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
February 16, 2011
AGE
Good game.
Hey, I'm from Off Topic. Ima give you a lesson.
OT is mostly the innappropriate forum, as we're known for some pretty disturbing stuff...
RT's full of flamewars.
You get my point.
Oh, and face it. Hackers. ROBLOX wants money. All that.
But, my neighbor plays along with his brother. They started playing when they were 3 and 6. Now they're 4 and 7.
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Teen, 13 years old
January 19, 2011
AGE
ONLY FOR MATURE KIDS
OMG! Roblox is really fun but don't let kids 12 and under play roblox. The people are PERVERTS! Some guy made a script that makes you have a... nvm. roblox is really bad for kids under 12
What other families should know:
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Parent
June 17, 2010
AGE
Everybody should play it.
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| Genre: | Gaming |
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