Roblox is not just a gaming platform, but a whole ecosystem where users can both develop their own games and enjoy projects created by other participants. The platform hosts millions of games created by both amateurs and professional studios.
The platform provides its users with all the necessary tools for content creation, including development tools, earning opportunities, and access to a wide audience.
According to information from open sources, about 151 million users visit Roblox daily, with children and teenagers predominating. Approximately 40% of them are under the age of 13.
The Origin of Roblox
The creators of Roblox, Americans David Baszucki and Erik Cassel, launched the platform in the mid-2000s, but at that time it did not gain widespread popularity. The real boom of Roblox occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when children around the world found themselves in isolation.
According to data from Wired, the number of active users on the platform increased from 32.6 million in 2019 to nearly 50 million in 2020. One of the reasons for this growth was the convenience of access: games can be played on phones, tablets, and computers, and all games are in an online format, which promotes interaction among users from different corners of the world.
Among the countries where Roblox is most popular, the USA leads, accounting for about 20% of all players, followed by the Philippines with 11.85%, as well as countries in Latin America and Asia.
Goals of the Platform
The main task of Roblox is to create a space for creativity, communication, and play, as well as to provide opportunities for earning.
From 2017 to 2024, the platform contributed $1.62 billion to the US economy, with content creators generating $416 million in taxes. From March 2024 to March 2025, creators' earnings on the platform exceeded $1 billion.
Roblox has an internal currency called Robux, which users purchase with real money and use to buy various game items and accessories. The founders earn revenue from sales, subscriptions, and advertising.
Despite its apparent safety, the platform faces criticism. In some countries, questions arise about its safety, leading to access restrictions.
Problems Abroad
For example, in Russia, Roskomnadzor restricted access to Roblox due to the detection of extremist materials, calls for illegal actions, LGBT content, and other materials that could negatively affect children. Situations modeling terrorist acts and gambling arose within the game.
Children are also at risk, as Roblox attracts the attention of pedophiles. The platform's moderation system is unable to fully control prohibited content. In 2025, Roskomnadzor sent warnings demanding the removal of such materials.
Additionally, Roblox is blocked in China, Jordan, Algeria, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen, Iraq, and other countries.
In August 2024, Turkey also decided to block the platform due to the presence of content that could facilitate the exploitation of children.
Risks of the Platform
The rapid rise in popularity of Roblox has led to negative consequences, including games with violent content.
In November 2024, journalists from The Guardian conducted an experiment by registering on the platform as an eight-year-old child. Even with parental controls activated, they were able to access content with negative content.
The journalist encountered sexual harassment and cyberbullying and discovered that violent and gambling-related content was accessible from children's accounts, including messages from unfamiliar adults.
Parents interviewed by The Guardian reported that gaming expenses negatively impacted their family budget.
Roblox is also facing criticism and lawsuits in various countries, especially in the USA.
In September 2024, a woman named Becca Dallas filed a lawsuit against Roblox after her 16-year-old son committed suicide, accusing the company of negligence and illegal actions. Her son, who had actively used the platform since the age of seven, became a victim of blackmail by a user who turned out to be a 37-year-old man demanding explicit photos from the teenager. As a result of this incident, the boy took his own life.
Problems in Kyrgyzstan
According to Bishkek resident Dinara Tasipbaeva, her four children actively use Roblox.
“After they started playing on the platform, they lost interest in other activities. Studying is no longer important to them. I disabled Roblox on all devices. They used to play outside, but now, even when meeting friends or relatives, they only prefer this game. When entering Roblox, they forget about real life, sometimes even refusing to eat. I think it would be good if access to the platform in our country were restricted to reduce children's dependence on phones,” she noted.
The Deputy Head of the Main Department of Criminal Investigations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Samat Alseiitov, also supports the idea of blocking the platform.
“The game involves different people with various intentions. Often, children are left unsupervised and are subjected to manipulation. For example, some children sent photos of their bank cards to scammers under pressure from other players with the promise of 'bringing in a new player.' As a result, all the money disappeared from their cards,” he noted.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs urges parents to closely monitor the threats arising from the use of the popular online game Roblox.
To protect children, it is recommended to follow these guidelines:
- Monitor what games your children are playing;
- Find out who they are communicating with online;
- Limit the time spent on online games;
- Use parental controls on mobile devices;
- Spend more time with your children, showing that you are protecting them.
