Addictive design and safety risks make Roblox harmful for children

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 6, 2026

Critics, including parent and BrainSafe Standard co-developer Tom Wilmot, have raised alarms over Roblox's use of gambling-like design features that encourage addictive behavior and pose safety risks to children. Calls are growing for regulatory bodies like Ofcom to implement stricter oversight focusing on the platform’s psychologically harmful mechanics rather than just surface-level content controls.

Concerns are growing over the impact of the online gaming platform Roblox on children, with critics citing addictive design features and safety risks as significant dangers. The platform, popular among young users, is being scrutinized for mechanics similar to those used in gambling, raising alarms about its effects on children's well-being.

Tom Wilmot, a parent and co-developer of the BrainSafe Standard—a framework for evaluating the addictiveness of digital products—has voiced strong criticism of Roblox. According to Wilmot, the game’s design is heavily monetized and includes elements borrowed from casino gaming, such as variable rewards and "near-miss" experiences that encourage prolonged play. He explains that these tactics, alongside the lack of clear endpoints in many Roblox games, can erode children’s sense of time and blur boundaries around gameplay.

Wilmot expressed concern about how Roblox has extended beyond the digital realm into children's everyday social interactions, noting that the platform dominates the social life and conversations of his nine-year-old child. Additionally, he observed that even his four-year-old has been influenced by Roblox when playing with friends in person. Beyond addictive design, Wilmot pointed to potential safety issues, including risks of grooming and exposure to inappropriate content within the platform’s largely user-generated environment.

Parents like Ivana Poku from Scotland have reported similar challenges. She began allowing her 10-year-old twin boys to play Roblox when they were about six but decided to stop after noticing signs of addiction. Poku’s experience underscores growing parental concern about the platform’s hold on children.

Wilmot and others advocating for change emphasize the need for regulatory approaches that go beyond superficial content controls. They argue that authorities such as the UK regulator Ofcom should focus on addressing the structural and psychological harms embedded in the design of platforms like Roblox, rather than merely targeting features like infinite scroll or notification prompts.

As the debate continues, voices from both academic and parental communities call for more rigorous oversight to protect children from the potentially harmful effects of highly engaging digital games like Roblox.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.