The Impact of Roblox Use on the Social and Academic Development of Elementary School Children

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of using the Roblox online gaming platform on the social and academic development of elementary school children. Roblox is a very popular online game among children, offering virtual interaction features, creative gameplay, and a large player community. While it provides opportunities to enhance creativity and collaboration skills, Roblox use also has the potential to pose risks such as addiction, impaired concentration, and exposure to interactions that are not always safe for children. This study used a quantitative descriptive approach involving 40 fourth-sixth grade students from an elementary school in Indonesia. The research instrument was a questionnaire related to play duration, interaction patterns, emotional impacts, and changes in learning behavior. The results showed that the majority of students played Roblox between 1-3 hours per day. On the positive side, this game helps improve creativity, problem-solving skills, and virtual social interaction. However, negative impacts were also found, such as decreased learning focus, the habit of procrastinating, and increased irritability when playtime is limited. These findings indicate the need for parents and teachers to monitor digital game use, set time limits, and develop healthy digital literacy in children. This research is expected to provide a basis for schools and families in designing strategies to support the wise use of online games.