Survey: 1 in 7 Dutch parents say child faced grooming or other harmful contact on Roblox
Parents across the Netherlands are voicing serious concerns about the online gaming platform Roblox, citing harmful interactions ranging from grooming and scams to bullying between children, according to a new survey by EenVandaag. The findings follow earlier reporting that Dutch teenagers were recruited through a Roblox game by a cult. More than 1,200 parents participated in the study, which concentrated on families with at least one minor child who plays Roblox. The platform is reportedly especially popular among children ages 9 to 12.
Nearly two-thirds of parents surveyed, 64 percent, said they worry at times about their child’s safety on Roblox. One in seven parents, 14 percent, said their child has experienced unpleasant or harmful contact on the platform. Some of those cases involved grooming or other forms of inappropriate behavior.
Parents described incidents in which older men made unsettling comments, attempted to set up meetings, or asked for personal contact details. In several cases, children were asked to send sexual images or were sent such material.
One parent summarized the behavior as “strange talk, questions about an address or phone number, or requests to switch to Snapchat,” adding, “The response is to cut it off and block.”
Parents also pointed to the platform’s potentially addictive nature, exposure to violent content, and encouragement of in-game spending as ongoing issues.
Scamming was another recurring issue. Through in-game trading features, players can take or steal virtual items from one another. One parent said, “A friend promised not to take something but still took it from my child. But I know my child has done that sometimes, too. That can cause major arguments.”
Conflicts frequently arise between children, parents added. Several described Roblox as resembling an “online schoolyard,” where arguments and bullying are common and sometimes spill over into offline life.
Roblox introduced stricter chat rules last year in response to abuse concerns. Users must now verify their age with a facial scan or an ID card, and chatting is limited to players of the same age group. Children ages 12 and under require parental permission to use chat functions.
Most parents remain unconvinced. Fifty-eight percent said they doubt the measures will be effective, with many believing children can easily bypass them. Only 14 percent of parents knew their child had actually verified their age, sometimes using someone else’s identification.
When asked who bears primary responsibility for children’s online safety, all respondents—both parents and non-parents—pointed first to parents, followed by game developers. Although Roblox provides parental control tools, 42 percent of parents surveyed said they were unaware that those options exist.
Most parents, 80 percent, said they have set clear rules with their children about gaming, including limits on playtime and restrictions on chatting. One parent said, “We often talk about the negative sides and the dangers of chatting. We have the agreement that if there are strange questions, Mom or Dad gets involved.”
Despite the risks, parents also acknowledged positive aspects of Roblox. Many said it allows children to express creativity, collaborate with others, and, in some cases, improve their English skills. As one parent noted, “It can be very fun and positive if you make beneficial agreements and trust your child.”
