Roblox starter guide for new players and parents

Roblox is a huge platform where players join games (Roblox calls them experiences) made by other users. It has changed a lot in the last year, with new age checks, new account types for younger players and new chat rules. This guide explains how it works today, based on Roblox’s own help centre, newsroom and creator pages, which we read on 23 October 2026. Rules can vary by country, so always check the settings on your own account too.

For wider advice that applies to every game, see our safe gaming guide for young players.

Creating an account

You create an account at roblox.com. When you sign up you enter a birthday, and that matters: Roblox uses the age you entered to place you until you complete an age check (more on that below).

Roblox’s account safety advice for every new player:

• Add an email address. Roblox says this lets you reset a forgotten password and turn on 2-step verification. For a child, use a parent’s email.
• Turn on 2-step verification. Roblox offers an authenticator app, email or security keys, and recommends the authenticator app.
• Use a unique password that you do not use anywhere else.
• Log out on shared computers, such as at school or a friend’s house.

Age checks and the three account types

Since 2026, Roblox places every player into one of three account types. The help centre lays them out like this:

• Roblox Kids (ages 5 to 8): games rated Minimal or Mild only. Chat is off by default and can be turned on through a linked parent account for age-checked users. These accounts have a blue background so they are easy to spot.
• Roblox Select (ages 9 to 15): games rated Minimal, Mild or Moderate. Where available in your region, chat is gradually introduced with safeguards for age-checked users.
• Roblox (16 and over): all rated content except Restricted, which is for 18 and over. Chat is on by default for age-checked users where available.

Roblox notes that ages vary by region.

How the age check works

There are two ways to complete an age check, according to Roblox:

1. Facial age estimation using your device’s camera. Roblox says it deletes the images and video after processing. In some regions a parent must approve this first.
2. ID verification with a government-issued photo ID. This is only for users aged 13 and over.

If you have not completed an age check, Roblox uses the age entered at sign-up: under 9s go into Roblox Kids and 9 and older go into Roblox Select, both with chat off. Roblox’s newsroom puts it plainly: “Users who have not completed an age check cannot chat on Roblox, regardless of their age.”

If an estimate is wrong, a linked parent can correct a child’s birthday once, and users 13 and over can verify with ID. Roblox also says it may ask for a new age check if it spots signs that an account’s age does not match.

Chat and trusted friends

Chat is limited to people in similar age groups. The exception is Trusted Friends, a status meant for people you know in real life. For users aged 12 and under, Roblox says a parent must approve each trusted friend request. For teens, trusted friends are added through methods such as scanning a friend’s QR code in person or importing phone contacts.

Parental controls

Roblox gives parents two ways in:

• A linked parent account. Your own Roblox account linked to your child’s. Roblox says you must be age checked as 18 or older to create one. You can manage settings from your own device and receive emails, such as spending notifications.
• Parent mode. You approve requests and change most settings directly on your child’s device, without your own account. Roblox says this is rolling out gradually.

To link, your child goes to Settings > Parental controls and selects Add parent, then you follow the email instructions. Once linked, Roblox says you can manage:

• Content: set the maximum content maturity level (Minimal, Mild, Moderate or Restricted), and block or allow specific games.
• Chat: choose who your child can chat and party with.
• Spending: set a monthly spending limit, get spending notifications and manage Robux transfers.
• Screen time: set a daily limit and see which games your child plays most.
• Friends and privacy: manage trusted friends, block users and choose who can see your child’s activity.

Controls change with age. Roblox says that from 13 a child manages their own screen time limits and blocking, and spending limits no longer apply. For teens 16 and over, parents mainly see notifications and activity updates.

Robux, explained simply

Robux are Roblox’s virtual currency. Roblox says they can be bought with real money in its apps and with gift cards, or earned by creators who sell items or build experiences.

Some practical points for families:

• Set a monthly spending limit. In a linked parent account, go to Settings > Parental controls > Settings you manage > Spending restrictions > Monthly spending limit. Roblox notes this does not cover gift card redemptions and may not apply on some consoles, so set console limits on the console as well.
• Agree the rules first. Roblox’s own advice to young players is to ask a parent or guardian before any purchase.
• Earning real money is rare. Roblox’s guide for parents of young developers says most successful creators spend years as hobbyists, and that children should not use the platform “expecting to see financial gain”. Converting earned Robux into money through the Developer Exchange requires being 13 or older and at least 50,000 earned Robux.

Spotting scams, especially free Robux

Roblox is blunt about this: “Any offer of free Robux, subscriptions, or valuable items is a scam.” It adds that there is no such thing as a Robux generator. These offers aim to steal passwords, personal details or whole accounts.

Roblox’s safety rules to teach every player:

• Only enter your password on the real Roblox login page.
• Never share your password, 2-step codes, backup codes or browser cookies. Roblox says its staff will never ask for them.
• Do not click unfamiliar links, even from someone you know.
• Real Roblox promotions are announced through official channels, such as the Roblox blog or site banners.
• Report scams with the Report Abuse buttons found around the app and in every experience menu.

Finding good experiences

Every game on Roblox has a content maturity rating, and the labels tell you what to expect. For example, Roblox describes Minimal as possibly containing occasional mild violence and mild fear, while Moderate can include moderate violence and crude humour. Roblox says games in the Roblox Kids and Roblox Select catalogues go through an extended review, and some categories such as social hangouts and free-form drawing are limited to users 16 and over.

Good habits for finding the right games:

• Read the maturity label and description before joining.
• Play a new game together first. Roblox itself recommends parents play alongside their child and learn how to block and report.
• Use Blocked games in parental controls for anything you would rather avoid.

If your child also enjoys building games, our Minecraft beginner’s guide is another great creative starting point.

Making games with Roblox Studio

Roblox Studio is the free tool for creating Roblox experiences. According to Roblox’s creator documentation, it runs on Windows and Mac. The minimum is Windows 10 or macOS 10.14 with 3GB of RAM, and Roblox recommends Windows 11 or macOS 14 and later with 8GB of RAM.

To start, download Studio from the Roblox Creator Hub, install it and sign in with your Roblox account. Roblox points beginners to its documentation site and Roblox Education tutorials.

Working alone needs no age check. Collaborating with others in Team Create does: Roblox says you must complete an age check to work with other people, and under 16s need a linked parent’s permission to collaborate with creators outside their age group, unless they are trusted friends.

Want to share your creations on video? Our guide on how to start a gaming YouTube channel covers the basics.