Roblox vs. Mom Boss

 

A mum’s guide to holding the line when the internet storms your house.

When Roblox Came Knocking

Boundaries with my pre-teen? Let’s just say it is an ongoing negotiation. And when it comes to screen time, some days it feels like I am negotiating world peace. Once upon a time, my biggest digital worry was making sure he was not watching questionable YouTube videos. Then came Roblox, a whole universe I was absolutely not prepared for, and suddenly I was the clueless outsider in my own home.


The New School Plot Twist

It all began when my son casually mentioned that every child in our apartment complex was playing Roblox. I have always been particular about the kind of content he is exposed to online, and at that time, I simply was not convinced Roblox was the right choice. So I said no.

But everything changed last year after he joined his new school. He came home one day, shoulders drooping, and told me he was the only child who was not allowed to play, thanks to my “unreasonable rules”. Hearing that broke me a little. He was already trying to find his place in a new environment, and now he felt like the odd one out because of me. The overprotective fixer in me could not handle it. So I gave in. Roblox entered our home.

Screen Time: Attempt One

We started strong with forty minutes of screen time every day. That did not last long. A few rule violations, a couple of attitude bumps, and suddenly it made more sense to switch to weekends only, and only after homework was completed.

He grumbled, of course, as any pre-teen would, but eventually he adjusted. The laptop stays in the hall, always in public view. No closed rooms. No secrecy. If he is online, he is online near us.

My Deep Dive into the Roblox World

Here is the truth. I am still not a huge fan of Roblox. Watching him navigate it made me curious and uneasy. I needed to understand what he was stepping into. And here is what I found:


• Investigations in 2024 and 2025 showed that children could still access unsupervised or adult-run chats despite filters.

• A major Bloomberg report revealed predators posing as children to lure minors on the platform.

• And in August 2025, the Louisiana Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Roblox, citing inadequate age checks and weak filtering systems, even calling it a breeding ground for predators.

Reading all of this as a mother was unsettling, but I would always rather be aware and prepared than blindsided. This research didn’t make me ban Roblox, it made me more intentional about how we use it

Awareness Over Anxiety

The truth is that plenty of children still use Roblox safely and have wonderful, creative experiences. The point is not to panic or shut every door. The point is to stay aware. Just because a platform looks harmless does not mean everything inside it is harmless. When our children step into digital worlds, our awareness becomes their safety net.

Simple Steps to Keep Online Time Safe and Sensible

Here are a few simple steps parents can follow to help keep online time safer and more manageable:

Simple Steps to Keep Online Time Safe and Sensible

1. Keep devices in shared areas

Living rooms or dining spaces where you can casually check in.

2. Use child-safe settings

Turn on restrictions, limit chats, and keep privacy settings tight.

3. Set clear screen time rules

Whatever routine you choose, consistency matters.

4. Stay curious about what they play

Ask questions, explore with them, and stay nearby sometimes.

5. Teach them to spot red flags

Strangers asking personal info, uncomfortable chats, anything that feels “off.”

6. Create a “pause and tell” rule

If something worries them, they pause immediately and tell you, without fear.

7. Check in regularly

Not to police, but to stay involved and aware.

The Mom Boss Decision

Children will not set their own limits, shockingly enough, so we have to.


So yes, I will happily be the “annoying” parent who sets boundaries, asks too many questions, and occasionally ruins their fun. If it keeps my child safe, I do not mind being the villain in this video game story.

We may not always get it right. But staying involved always counts.

Author’s Note:

As a mum learning and unlearning every single day, I write these reflections not as an expert but as someone walking this journey alongside you. My hope is that sharing my own imperfect experiences helps other parents feel a little less alone, a little more supported, and a lot more understood. Thank you for reading and for growing with me, one boundary, one lesson, and one honest conversation at a time.


Logging out before Roblox logs him back in.

Nancy Kavin

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  “Where time stood still: Life in Munnar”      Times change as years pass by. From carefree childhood to full on responsible parenthood, life has just changed so much. I still remember the days in Munnar where I was born and brought up. Life was just so beautiful. There was no Internet, mobiles and some times there wasn’t even electricity, but life felt like a dream and I was content. I used to treasure every season of Munnar. Right from the bright sunny summer mornings with the aroma of fresh lush green tea around to the crazy rainy days freezing and dripping with water every where, I loved every inch of it.             Memories cascade through my heart, a flood too powerful to contain. Life used to be hard in the mountains but the joy and warmth it brought would overweigh the hardships and cold we faced. Days usually began early for us, we wake up early and get ready to school. By 7 we would be picked up by the school bus. T...
Read more

This Crazy Bus Ride We Call Life!

Image
Have you ever boarded a KSRTC bus in Kerala? Boxy and rattling, with windows so wide the wind rushes in like an old friend. I see myself climbing aboard with far too much luggage, somehow managing to grab the prized window seat. A scarf wrapped tight around my shoulders, I’m ready for the journey — a little nervous, a little excited, and wondering who will end up beside me. The engine roars to life, and as the bus finally starts rolling, I feel a wave of relief. Sometimes we find peace in our solitude. Outside, the scenery unfolds like a film reel. Coconut palms sway lazily, paddy fields shimmer in the sun, and glimpses of backwaters peek through the trees. The wind rushes in, carrying the scent of wet earth and roadside tea stalls. It feels like every bend of the road has a story to whisper. The ride is so soothing that I doze off like a baby. A sudden brake jolts me awake. We’re about to climb the lofty mountains, and I notice a new companion has joined me. We exchange a smile, a sim...
Read more

Unlearning Caste, One Home at a Time.

Image
I write this with a heavy heart. I usually steer clear of news about violence, it overwhelms me. But today, a story caught my eye. It was an honour killing, and what shook me was that it happened in my very own native Tirunelveli. He was killed for loving someone across caste lines. Just that — loving someone. Statistics say there were nearly 300 caste-based murders in Tamil Nadu alone between 2016 and 2020. And that’s just one state. Imagine the weight of a nationwide number. I was born and brought up in Munnar, a quiet hill town where cultures mingled easily. North Indians, Tamilians, native Keralites - we all coexisted, celebrated festivals together, played together, and ate from each other’s homes. Until I finished school, I was blissfully unaware of what caste even meant. I didn't know my own. That kind of innocence feels rare now. I did my undergraduate studies in a small village near Tirunelveli. Most of the students were from the southern districts, and though I was technic...
Read more