Sheril Kirshenbaum

Is anyone able to help me understand #roblox?

My children enjoy playing, but both of their accounts were suddenly banned (or deleted?) today and we don’t know why.

I sent an appeal but I have two sad kiddos. I don’t play and I’m not familiar with how it works, but I’d appreciate any insight on this or suggestions about how to get it working again. #gaming

Feb 20 at 2:41amMastodon for iOS
Show threadChris SnyderFeb 20
@Sheril This sounds like a blessing in disguise. Now they can’t play Roblox and you don’t have to take the blame!
Show threadMiles Offit... 🇨🇦🇪🇺🇺🇦Feb 20
@csnyder ...AND they're becoming appropriately radicalized early! 🤗@Sheril
Show threadDavid PattonFeb 20
@Sheril https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_safety_on_Roblox
Child safety on Roblox - Wikipedia

Show threadKpl KlinkFeb 20

@Sheril Kindly meant from what my son (very senior software engineer) says: Good riddance. Data mining your kids and your stuff.

Somebody backstopped you I think. Take it.

Cheers.

Show threadProf. Rachel Thorn 🍉🇺🇦🏳️‍⚧️🏳️Feb 20
@Sheril
I just searched and found a forum post dated February 16 where the poster had their account banned, because they accessed from the same Wi-Fi his brother, who had been "legitimately banned," and Roblox assumed the poster's account was actually the brother trying to dodge the ban. I doubt yours is the same situation, but two accounts on the same IP address may have triggered the bans?
Show threadMad BFeb 22
@RachelThornSub
If one of the kids was reported for griefing or something, maybe the other would have also caught the ban? Two accounts alone isn't likely to result in ban, lots of people play with their parents or siblings or friends
@Sheril
Show threadP CFeb 20
@Sheril Probably a good thing has happened. Get into #Gcompris or better games!
Show threadDavid RuffnerFeb 20

@Sheril That sounds hard for your kids. It's really frustrating to be abruptly locked out of a game you enjoy. I'm sorry I don't know how to fix it. It sounds like you did what you can do with appealing.

I played Roblox with my older son last year. There are some fun games. I see why a lot of kids like it. But the platform is fully controlled by Roblox, so they can lock people out without notice. And they require binding arbitration so you don't have much recourse. I ended up deciding it wasn't worth it. We have been playing Luanti instead. Not the same, but fun in its own way.

Show thread🍀March Mastodoness🍀Feb 20
@Sheril Definitely for the best:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N93Ddz2wWlY
The Dark Reality of Roblox

YouTube
Show threadsport of sacred spherical cowsFeb 20

@mast0d0nphan @Sheril

More on this front:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ

And the follow up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMF6xEiAaY

Investigation: How Roblox Is Exploiting Young Game Developers

YouTube
Show threadCeremusFeb 21

@beadsland
PMG did excellent journalism on the subject.

Here's another very good followup from a couple of years ago by More Perfect Union: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6PYj93SGxc

@mast0d0nphan @Sheril

Roblox Is Exploiting Kids. We Talked To Some Of Them.

YouTube
Show threadCyFeb 20
It's a bunch of online games based on Lego ripoffs, but on a computer. Though many people contribute to and produce these games, they don't get paid and relinquish all rights to Roblox Corporation. They're a single corporation, so they can ban anyone they like, with no transparancy, or requirement to justify themselves. Because USA.

Can't help you other than say I hope they listen to your appeal (they have no obligation to), but I hope that makes the situation a little more understandable.

Maybe in the meantime, they could try playing Minetest?

https://www.luanti.org/en/
Luanti | Open source voxel game engine

Play one of our many games solo or together. Mod a game as you see fit, or make your own.

Luanti
Show threadmattmaisonFeb 20

@Sheril

My daughter (11) plays it and I envy you for them getting banned. I wish she'd quit. She says it's turning into a mess anyway with AI garbage and idiots, so the last couple of weeks she's been playing her Switch more, which I'd much rather she be doing.

Show threadQuinn9282 🖥️🌙✌️Feb 20
@Sheril If you don't mind me asking, what did Roblox say was the cause of the account bans? There should be a message that appears when you try to login or access a banned account stating the reason for the ban.
Show threadkjveeFeb 20

@Sheril Roblox always had weird moderation policies. Contacting them through socials if you use Instagram, X or Threads (if you have a huge following there) might be your best bet now.

Closest thing to Roblox is Fortnite. It is much safer and has collabs with lot of media. Or try Battlefield 6 or Hytale while you wait. Luanti is a minecraft alternative

Roblox is not at all safe for kids, multiple lawsuits against them for not ensuring child safety. If your kids play it, keep an eye on them.

Show threadHiisikoloartFeb 20

@Sheril
Maybe try to get your into some other games - like narrative driven kids games (not online), since online platforms like Roblox are full of adults trying to exploit kids and they have a whole economy from that using the platform's money system.

Your kids will get over it eventually. As much as it sucks now, they are safer for it.

All the best to you and your kiddos!

Show threadBonkersFeb 20
@Sheril probably, they were rude in the chats and someone filed a complaint. Or maybe someone complained without a reason, just because.