This country banned Roblox... could the U.S. be next?

TOP OF MIND

Turkey is done with Roblox
Kids all over the world are addicted to the online gaming platform known as Roblox. According to recent data, nearly 80 million users play the game every single day. These users spent 17.4 billion hours on the platform, which comes out to around 200 hours per user per year.

The majority of those users are under the age of 13. And while the game does provide some educational benefits, such as learning basic programming, it also has some troubling safety issues.

Kids can interact with other users on the platform, and unfortunately, not everyone they interact with is a peer. In a BBC report earlier this year, an 8-year-old boy revealed that people he met on Roblox asked him for nude photos. And at least 20 people have been detained in the United States since 2018 on charges of harassing or kidnapping people they met on Roblox.

This is why Turkey has decided to ban access to Roblox.

The important bits
On August 7th, Turkey made it official and banned access to the gaming platform, citing an internet governance law enacted in 2007 to immediately ban access to potentially harmful platforms.

It's worth noting that Turkey has also discussed plans to ban TikTok, and even put Instagram in a nine-day timeout.

But Roblox is top of mind due to the average age of its users. One of the main risks parents should know about are the user-generated games, or "condo games" that are featured within the platform.

It's worth noting that certain features in the game, like the ability to voice chat with other users, are age-limited. Roblox requires players to prove they're over the age of 13 to access the voice chat feature, but of course, some kids have figured out how to get around that.

What's it all mean?
As of now, the U.S. has no plans to ban Roblox, and honestly a lot of parents probably don't even want that. After all, could you imagine dealing with the aftermath? Kids all over the country would probably take to the streets and set fire to cars.

The key is to treat Roblox like you would any other social media site and maintain open and honest communication with your kids regarding technology. It’s also important to make sure you understand the parental controls on Roblox. Some experts even recommend you sit down and play with your kid so you can better understand the game.

You can click here to stay up-to-date on what Roblox is doing to protect kids in its Parents Guide.

DID YOU HEAR

🍱 The snackle box
How does one carry multiple snacks for their kids, while also maintaining the freshness of said snacks? They get "The Snackle Box," which has been taking social media by storm. Moms swear by the innovative snack holder, which allows you to pack up to 8 snacks in one container. Best of all, it keeps them all separated and fresh. Bestest of all? It's only $15.

📚 Librarians are fighting back against book bans
Americans last year challenged more book titles than ever before, according to a new report. More than 4,000 unique titles were challenged in public libraries and school libraries, many of which were about or written by LGBTQ+ people and people of color. This comes after a recent conservative push to ban books deemed inappropriate for children, while librarians argue that the book excerpts used as examples often lack context and that libraries should remain politically neutral spaces. Read more about it here.

⏮️ 9 science-backed ways to reverse your biological age
We all want to feel younger, right? As parents, we often don't do a great job of taking care of ourselves, but it's important that we do! After all, how can you take care of someone else if you're neglecting your own self-care? Thankfully, the fine folks at Science Focus provided us with 9 simple science-backed changes that can reverse your biological age. On the list? Maintaining muscle mass, getting enough sleep, wearing sunglasses... and preparing for super drugs? Details here.

💧 Back-to-school tears
Apparently, it's not just kids crying over going back-to-school, it's parents as well. According to a new survey, 60% of parents say they're driven to tears because of back-to-school stress. Here's how to handle all that stress.

👀 "Cry it out" sleep training
This mom explains the method that worked for her, and it might be a little controversial.

A DOSE OF GOOD

@logan.zarra

My cousin sent me this, it might be the funniest video of all time. I’ve watched it about 100 times since seeing it 😂 #fyp #funny #lol #vi... See more

BITES WITH KIYAH

Avoid these 3 mealtime mistakes
Getting your kids, especially your older kids, to try new foods can be a daunting task. And there are three mistakes parents commonly make when introducing new food to their kids:

1. Offering too much of a new food.

2. Offering only new foods.

3. Not offering the new food often enough.

Luckily, there are also three simple actions you can take to correct them! Read my full post here or watch the video below to find out.

P.S. I'll be posting more on my YouTube channel, so make sure you subscribe!

Kiyah is the co-founder of Kizingo Kids and an expert in nutrition. Follow her on Instagram and Youtube.

ON A BUDGET

Try it before you buy it!
According to this mom, there are two easy ways to save money as a new parent. The first tip? Stay put in a smaller place. She recommends waiting to upgrade your living situation, noting how she and her husband stayed in their one bedroom apartment for the first year of their baby's life.

The second tip? Take advantage of baby try-it kits. The kits are collections of one product from various brands. For instance, Babylist’s Swaddle Box includes four different swaddles from different brands, allowing parents to test and find the best fit for their baby before committing to multiple swaddles from one brand. While some brands offer their own samplers, Babylist’s kit is a great option for trying out multiple brands at once.

Check out Jacqueline's reviews of several try-it kits here.

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week we asked you for your take on the birthday candle situation, and 97% of you said, "only the birthday kid!"

RECALLS

Thousands of cans of baby formula are being recalled from CVS and H-E-B in a dozen states over potentially high vitamin D levels that could make young children sick.

The elevated vitamin D levels were found in nearly 17,000 milk-based powder formula cans produced by Perrigo Company. The exact product in question is the company's Premium Infant Formula with Iron Milk-Based Powder.

Get all the details here.