Child Safety Officer 

Beyond Roblox: Helping Kids Navigate the Online World -

by Lauren Foster - Co-Founder,  Big Kids Table (https://bkt.org.au/) 

https://bkt.org.au/beyond-roblox-helping-kids-navigate-the-online-world/

Concerns raised in recent reporting about Roblox point to a much bigger challenge facing families as children grow up in increasingly complex digital environments. 

The platform has come under scrutiny from the Australian government after allegations that children were exposed to explicit content and targeted by online predators. These reports highlight a reality many parents already sense: the online spaces young people move through today are not neutral. They are environments filled with competing voices and values.

At the same time, focusing only on regulation or platform accountability misses part of the picture. The Roblox situation also reflects something deeper about how young people grow and form their identity. Childhood and adolescence are not stages where values are simply absorbed and kept unchanged. Young people often begin by adopting the beliefs and behaviours they see modelled by the adults around them. Over time, however, they start to question and reshape those ideas for themselves. What can sometimes look like resistance or rebellion to adults is often part of a very normal developmental process. As they move through this stage, young people are also encountering a wide range of cultural messages, particularly online.

For parents and educators, this raises an important question: how do we create environments where young people can wrestle with difficult ideas safely, rather than doing so alone on the internet? 

One of the most important foundations is the sense that home is a secure place for those conversations. When children believe they can ask questions or express curiosity without fear of rejection or punishment, they are far more likely to bring confusing or confronting experiences into the open which is exactly what we need them to do. That sense of safety is closely connected to the assurance that they are loved by God and others, regardless of what they encounter online or the mistakes they might make while navigating it. From that base of belonging, young people are much better positioned to develop the confidence and resilience needed to make wise decisions.

Practical habits around technology matter as well. Banning devices altogether or reacting with punishment when something goes wrong rarely leads to open conversations. A more constructive approach is ongoing dialogue paired with clear and consistent boundaries. Simple steps, like keeping devices out of bedrooms and bathrooms, can significantly reduce the likelihood of exposure to harmful material. Just as importantly, explaining the reasoning behind these boundaries helps young people understand that they are not about control but about care and protection. When children are invited into the reasoning behind family guidelines, they are more likely to take ownership of their online behaviour.

The scrutiny surrounding Roblox ultimately reflects a wider reality about raising children in the digital age. Regulation and platform responsibility are important, but technology will almost always move faster than policy. In the end, the most meaningful protection young people have is the strength of the relationships around them especially with their Creator and family. When children grow up in environments where they feel safe, known and able to talk openly about what they are encountering, they are far better equipped to navigate platforms like Roblox and the broader digital world with wisdom and resilience.

Erin Beer

Co-Head of Primary - Ulverstone