The online gaming platform Roblox has recently come under renewed scrutiny following reports of adults using the platform to target children and allegations that illegal online casinos are using Roblox-related accounts and virtual currencies to lure young users towards gambling activities.
These concerns arrive at a significant moment. The government has announced that under-16s will be banned from a range of social media platforms from spring 2027, reflecting growing pressure to make the online world safer for children. Roblox falls outside that ban, and children will still be able to access it for gaming. However, high-risk features including livestreaming and strangers being able to contact children will be restricted for under-16s on gaming platforms too. For parents of children who use Roblox, this is a meaningful step forward, but it does not remove the need for vigilance.
Rachel Fletcher (Head of Crime) and Charlotte Beck (Head of Family) explore the dangers of online gaming platforms, the legal implications for children and parents, and what families can do to protect young users.
Criminal concerns: Grooming, exploitation and online gambling
One of the most concerning issues raised by recent reports is the continued risk of children being exposed to criminal activity online. Investigations have highlighted concerns about adults using gaming platforms like Roblox to make contact with children before moving conversations onto other messaging services, alongside reports of illegal online casinos using Roblox-linked accounts and virtual currencies to encourage young users to engage with gambling-style activities.
The primary risks can include:
- Grooming and child exploitation
- The sharing of inappropriate or illegal content
- Exposure to unlicensed gambling platforms
- Financial exploitation through virtual currencies and online transactions
It is also important to recognise that children themselves can become involved in activity via these platforms that carries real legal consequences, including uploading unlawful content, encouraging gambling activity, or participating in online behaviour without fully understanding the implications. While the criminal justice system often recognises the vulnerability of young people, online actions can still have serious real-world consequences.
The incoming restrictions on features such as stranger contact will address some of the routes through which grooming and exploitation can occur, and are a welcome development. However, they do not eliminate the risk entirely. Roblox will remain accessible to under-16s, and Ofcom issued legally binding information requests to the platform in March 2026 requiring it to report on its child safety measures, with enforcement action remaining a possibility where Ofcom is not satisfied with the response.
Our Crime team works with individuals and families on matters involving online offending, safeguarding concerns and criminal investigations. If you are concerned about the legal implications of you or a family member’s online activity, we can provide clear and practical advice tailored to your circumstances.
The impact on children and families
For parents, reports of grooming, exploitation and gambling-related activities are understandably very concerning.
Your children may not always recognise manipulative behaviour online, particularly in a virtual environment such as Roblox, and may not understand the risks associated with sharing personal information. Exposure to harmful content at a young age can affect emotional wellbeing, mental health, confidence, relationships, educational attainment and decision-making.
Practical steps parents may wish to consider include:
- Regularly reviewing privacy and parental control settings
- Having regular conversations about how to stay safe online
- Discussing the risks associated with online gaming
- Encouraging children to report anything that makes them uncomfortable
From a family law perspective, parental responsibility applies just as much to a child’s digital life as it does to any other aspect. While the restriction of high-risk features on gaming platforms for under-16s is a positive development, the platform remains open and the underlying risks around harmful content, financial exploitation and inappropriate contact do not disappear simply because certain features are switched off by default.
This is particularly challenging where separated parents hold different views on appropriate online access, making it essential to establish consistent boundaries across households.
Our Family team has considerable experience helping parents understand how parental responsibility applies to modern issues such as social media and online gaming, and where applying for court orders to ensure appropriate arrangements are made where they cannot be agreed. For tailored, expert support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our family specialists.
Get In Touch
Rachel Fletcher is Managing Partner and Head of our Crime and Regulatory team. She advises individuals, families and businesses on criminal and regulatory matters, including safeguarding concerns, online offending and digital investigations.
Charlotte Beck is a Partner and Head of our Family team, specialising in child law and family matters. She advises parents on issues relating to children’s welfare, safeguarding and parental responsibility.
