The new parental controls system (2025–2026)
Roblox overhauled its parental tools in 2025. The old system was a four-digit PIN set inside your child's account — which a motivated child could find and change. The new system requires you to create your own separate Roblox parent account, link it to your child's, and manage settings from your own device. Your child cannot override these controls.
How to set it up:
- Create your own Roblox account at roblox.com and verify your age
- On your child's account, go to Settings → Parental Controls → Family Pairing
- Follow the steps to link your parent account to theirs
- From your parent account, configure chat, content, spending and screen time
The whole process takes about fifteen minutes. Do it on a device your child does not have access to.
Chat settings: the most important controls
Roblox divides chat into two types that need separate settings:
In-game chat (while playing)
This is chat that happens inside a specific game — with other players in the same game world. For children under 9, set this to "No one." For ages 9–12, "Friends only" is a reasonable middle ground. Under-13 accounts default to a limited set of approved words, but the chat is still on and worth restricting further for younger children.
Direct messages (profile-to-profile)
Since January 2026, Roblox requires age verification before chat works at all. Minors cannot receive private messages from adults unless both have verified a real-world connection. Despite this, for younger children it is worth setting direct messages to Friends only or disabling them entirely from your parent dashboard.
Spending: set a hard limit immediately
Roblox's virtual currency is Robux. Children can spend it on avatar items, game passes, and in-game upgrades. There is no upper limit by default, and costs add up quickly without children fully understanding the real-money value.
From your parent dashboard, set a monthly Robux spending limit. Even setting it to zero is fine — you can then choose to add specific amounts when your child asks. The important thing is that they cannot spend freely without your approval.
If your child's account is linked to a payment method, remove it from the account and make it something they have to come to you to use. Accidental or impulsive purchases are very common.
Content settings by age
Roblox introduced age-based account tiers in early 2026:
- Roblox Kids (ages 5–8): curated content only, all communication disabled by default
- Roblox Select (ages 9–15): broader content with expanded but age-appropriate communication
Accounts move between tiers automatically as children get older. From your parent dashboard you can also set content maturity ratings manually, block specific games, and — from April 2026 — approve specific games that would not otherwise be available under your child's tier.
What to check monthly
Roblox settings are not a one-time job. Check these roughly every month:
- Friends list: who has your child accepted as a friend? On Roblox, anyone in a shared game can send a friend request.
- Games played: your parent dashboard shows which games your child has spent time in. A few minutes looking at this tells you a lot.
- Spending: review the month's Robux activity.
- Chat logs: Roblox stores a limited amount of chat history in the parent dashboard. It is worth glancing at periodically.
The conversation worth having
Most Roblox problems do not start with a stranger in a game — they start with a friend connection that leads outside the platform. Children are often asked to move to Discord, WhatsApp or another app to "talk properly." Once they do, your visibility disappears entirely.
The rule worth establishing early: "If someone you met on Roblox asks you to talk somewhere else, tell me before you do." That one rule covers more risk than any settings combination.
Roblox is just one part of your child's digital life. The free mafinka check looks at all devices, platforms and everyday routines together.
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