CANADALAND How Roblox Turns Kids Into Gamblers
8 snips
Dec 1, 2025 In this intriguing discussion, Sarah Grimes, a leading researcher in communication studies from McGill, delves into the controversial world of Roblox and the 'gamblification' of children's gaming. She explores the alarming similarities between gaming mechanics and gambling, particularly through loot boxes and random rewards. Sarah highlights how kids, especially the young, misinterpret chance and are susceptible to manipulative game designs reminiscent of casino tactics. The conversation also touches on the fine line between the social benefits of gaming and the potential harms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Roblox Is A Mass Social Space For Kids
- Roblox reaches over 111 million daily users and nearly half of US kids under 16, making it a mass social space for children.
- That scale means children's play patterns on Roblox shape a generation's social life and risk exposure.
Age Rating Versus Game Content Mismatch
- Bruce demonstrates a Roblox game labeled 'age five and up' that includes scary, adult-themed imagery and horror elements.
- The mismatch shows rating systems can let young children access unsuitable content.
Games Act Like Social Media For Children
- Games function like social media where avatars present identity and friends congregate, making them central to kids' social networks.
- Adults often dismiss these spaces as make-believe, which hides real harms happening there.