Many students at Perry have played the once-innocent game Roblox, an online platform featuring a wide range of mini-games like tycoons, obbies (obstacle courses) and simulators of all kinds. These games have different genres like horror, roleplay, strategy and action. However, the platform now features some concerning titles like Bathroom Simulator, 13-18+ lobbies and games involving dating/family roleplays for all ages. Bad enough as it is, there is also very little age verification and moderation set up to ban these kinds of games from existing. Another new feature on Roblox is the voice chat, which means anyone of any age can chat online with anyone across the globe.

Many people have tried to be so-called “vigilantes” and join certain games to help moderate the game. One YouTuber, going by the name of, “Schlep,” used his account to catch alleged pedophiles. Once Roblox found out, they decided to ban him for breaking their policies on vigilantism. The decision to ban Schlep has caused lawsuits against the platform, and people on the internet are considering getting it banned. This impacts the students here at Perry who have been playing since they were little.

For many students like Cy-elly Pendergrass, Roblox was their childhood; while others may be more recent fans who joined due to TikTok popularity. “I’ve been playing Roblox since it first came out. One of the OG’s ok?” much like a lot of students at Perry who grew up on Roblox. If it did end up getting banned, as the rumors say, Pendergrass said, “I probably will cry and protest against it because Roblox is my life, that’s my shayla.” Although Pendergrass believes that “there should be stricter regulations for little kids that don’t know right from wrong.” 

Eli Charron, who has been playing Roblox since he was a kid, said, “I started playing Roblox back when I was probably around the age of seven, maybe a little older.” Charron said that if the game got banned, he “wouldn’t be mad at all,” and he believes “Roblox should be closed down to allow the developers to implement better rules and regulations in regards to children’s safety and start fresh.”

Another outraged student, Lilly McCash, who has been playing for “six or seven years,” said she “would be so mad and sad if Roblox got deleted.” McCash then quoted DJ Khalid, “Life is Roblox.” 

This goes to show that although Roblox seems childish to some, it is still an important part of so many students’ lives here at Perry. Roblox is a game that connects people much like the way social media does. However, without the proper safety precautions and the amount of uncertainty in the game, it may be time for a much-loved game to go to rest. For some, this is the end of an era.