Using Roblox and YouTube For Extended Periods Of Time

Question: Why are Roblox and YouTube so easy to use for hours on end? 

Answer: There’s not much research published about YouTube (see a related post for a summary), but it’s well-known that the recommended video feed and auto-play features make it easy to spend hours continuously watching YouTube videos.  

We couldn’t find any research about Roblox! However, we know the Roblox platform well, and it’s important for caregivers to know: 

• It allows developers to create their own games and post them for anyone to play. So, the quality of the games can be really variable – some interesting, some terrible. Roblox has settings to limit which types of games kids can play and who they can interact with. 
• There are millions of games to choose from, from role playing to driving to shooter games. Many games require kids to play longer to earn more in-game “currency” that lets them buy and collect in-game items. When they get bored with one game, they can easily find others to try.  
• Kids’ friends may be on Roblox, which motivates them to stay on and interact with them.  

The combination of 1) friends being on Roblox, 2) all the in-game rewards, and 3) endless game options might make it hard for kids to transition off of Roblox and do other things.  

Our advice for helping children build interests in other activities include: 

• Have your child plan out how long they are going to play, which Roblox games they’ll play, and how they want to be reminded to stop (e.g., with a timer, a reminding them, stopping by themself).  
• Then, plan for an activity that they have chosen right after stopping Roblox. This might be baking, playing with a pet or doing something low stress and fun – so there’s less resistance to transitioning.   
• But to be realistic, transitions might be difficult – Research with young kids shows that even when kids set a plan, it’s harder to transition off when the platform keeps recommending new videos or games. If your child is arguing about stopping playing Roblox, it would also be fine to have them take a break from it for a week or so.  

Age: Toddler, Preschool, 3-12 years, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Early Adolescence 

Topics: YouTube, Videos, Roblox 

Role: Parent/Caregiver