December 17th 2024.
If you've ever spent time playing the immensely popular online game Roblox, you may have come across some heartbreaking messages like this one: "I hate myself. I don't want to be here any more..." These messages can be found in one of the site's specially created "depression rooms" where children from all over the world gather to share their struggles.
Despite being targeted at children aged 13 and above, Roblox is often played by much younger and older individuals. In fact, as of 2024, the site boasts a whopping 207.14 million monthly active users and 79.5 million daily active users. Shockingly, nearly a quarter of these users are aged 9-12 and over a third are under 16. The majority of games on the site provide a safe space for children to explore their interests anonymously.
From riding the London Underground network to creating your own airline, Roblox offers a vast array of fun and educational activities. However, beneath the surface of these seemingly innocent games, there are also darker areas to explore. An investigation by Sky News revealed that a network of illegal casinos on the site are allowing children to gamble using their accounts, with some even losing up to £150,000. But that's not the only danger lurking on Roblox.
If you were to search "depressed" on Google, you would be directed to organizations like Mind, the NHS, and the Mayo Clinic. However, on Roblox, the results are far different. *Warning: Potentially distressing content and mentions of suicide and self-harm.* Instead of helpful resources, children are presented with a selection of "sad" games to choose from. Some of these games have a melancholic atmosphere, like a grassy field with rain and soft music in the background. Others are more concerning, with gravestones and options for a player's character to "cry" or "weep." But perhaps the most alarming game is the "depression room," a basement where your avatar can sit and reflect while a sign above the door confirms its purpose. From there, players can take a lift to the top of a skyscraper and look out over the word "Alone" in blue on an opposing building. This game has had over 5.6 million visits and is advertised as "for all ages."
While some of these games may seem harmless, they can have a serious impact on children's mental health. In one game, users can sit in a "depressed room" in a dark basement, and many of the comments associated with these rooms are distressing to read. Despite this, the game continues to attract young players, with many seeking comfort and support from others in the "sociopath" group chat.
Unfortunately, this is just one example of the darker side of Roblox that many parents are not aware of. One father, who wishes to remain anonymous, shares his concerns about the "scale" of what children can access on the game. He now limits what his 10-year-old son can play after discovering him in one of the popular sad rooms in the "basement" area. "We were already worried he was spending too much time on Roblox," the father explains. "I'd been really shocked and genuinely kind of scared on his behalf when I saw that he was playing the sad room. I'd taken the iPad off him and even in a couple seconds of looking at the screen I knew something was off."
It's clear that the content and accessibility of games on Roblox can have a serious impact on children's well-being. As parents and guardians, it's important to be aware of the potential dangers and to have open and honest conversations with children about their online activities.
As you scroll through the pages of your favorite online game, Roblox, you may come across some heartbreaking messages from children all over the world. These messages express feelings of self-hatred and a desire to no longer be a part of this world. These messages can be found in one of the game's designated "depression rooms", a place where users can come to express their innermost thoughts and feelings.
Despite being targeted towards children ages 13 and up, Roblox is played by users of all ages. With over 207 million monthly active users and 79.5 million daily users, it's no surprise that a large number of these players are under the age of 16. The game offers a safe space for children to explore their interests through the anonymity of the internet. Want to ride the London Underground or create your own airline? There's a map and game for that. However, hidden among the fun and innocent games are darker areas that can be accessed by anyone.
A recent investigation by Sky News uncovered a network of illegal casinos on Roblox that allow children to gamble using their accounts. Some children have even lost up to £150,000. But the dangers of Roblox go beyond financial losses. For children searching the word "depressed" on Google, they will find resources like Mind, the NHS, and the Mayo Clinic. However, on Roblox, they will find a much different result.
Instead of helpful resources, children will find a selection of "sad" games to choose from. These games range from a simple grassy field with rain and soft music to more disturbing options like a basement with a ladder and boxes in the darkness, known as the "depression room". In this game, the character automatically bows their head, and from there, they can take a lift to the top of a skyscraper where they can stand by the railings and look out at the word "Alone" on a nearby building. These games, advertised as "for all ages", have received millions of visits.
Within these games, users can also access group chats, one of which is called "sociopath". Here, young people are trying to support each other, but among the messages of encouragement are disturbing statements like "I need to kill somebody and break their spine". It's a chilling reminder that these users are just children, seeking answers and comfort in a game that once brought them joy but now encourages despondency.
Parents are often unaware of the extent of what their children can access on Roblox. One father, who now limits his 10-year-old son's playing time, only became aware of the game's darker areas when he saw his son playing in the most popular "sad room". This father, who wishes to remain anonymous, was shocked and scared to see his son sitting alone in a dark room in the game. He had no idea that his son was spending so much time on Roblox and was worried about the effect it was having on him.
The dangers of Roblox are not limited to financial losses or disturbing games. It also exposes children to harmful and potentially triggering content. As these children sit hunched over their screens, they are desperately seeking answers and comfort in a game that once brought them joy. It's a reminder that, in today's digital age, we must be vigilant and aware of what our children are doing online. We must also provide them with a safe and supportive environment in real life, so they don't feel the need to seek it out in a virtual world.
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