Torture Is Too Kind for the Person Who Hacked My Daughters Roblox Account — the Importance of Online Gaming Platforms to Children
By: Greg Prince
Tags: Parenting, Children, Family, Gaming, Social Media

Parenting

Torture Is Too Kind for the Person Who Hacked My Daughters Roblox Account — the Importance of Online Gaming Platforms to Children

The emotional impact and attachment kids have with their online games.

My daughter began sobbing. As I poured the hot water for my coffee, I asked, “What’s the matter? What happened?” Louise is tough; she rarely cries about anything; she was smiling and laughing only minutes before. Her eyes were buried in her computer screen and she said,

“My Roblox account got hacked.”

I knew the severity of the situation. Adults are consumed with corrupt political leaders, paying the bills, and thinking about staying safe in this crazy world, but many kids are in a different universe. They are online gaming and wrapped up in fun communities with other kids getting neon unicorns, mega giraffes, and super-speed potions.

Louise plays with her sister and her friends from school on Roblox. The gaming platform Roblox has thousands of games millions of children worldwide play every day.

We limit the community she’s allowed to participate with. The circle of friends rarely expands. Louise and her sister have each other’s back. They watch out for one another.

When a predator approaches on Adopt Me, one of the most popular games on the Roblox platform, the friends gang up on the predator until they run away or leave. I’ve watched my daughters and their friends run an ODER(Online dater) out of their area. Their counters to the infiltrator were impressive and non-stop until the offender scrammed.

Parents must have a presence in their children’s online life but be real; watching over them 24/7 is impossible. Friends take care of friends, and my wife and I don’t play Adopt Me or any other game on Roblox. But friends or sisters can’t protect against everything.

Today a scammer hacked my daughter’s account. Her password wasn’t strong enough, and the scumbag swiped all her potions, dinos, characters, and Robux(the money or tokens they buy and earn to use in and on Roblox games).

If you’re a parent of a Roblox player, terms like Robux may be useful to know and understand. I want to reach into the network, pull the hacker out by their neck, and then slap them around for a while until they understand the heartache they caused my child.

Louise was devastated. She’d worked for months to build up her Roblox character. She’d amassed a ton of potions, influence, seniority, friends, and Robux. All gone in a flash. Roblox has been a social meeting place for my daughters and their friends from school. A gathering to participate in games and achievements together. But Louise is resilient.

Rebecca, her sister, cried with Louise and comforted her. I hugged her and explained we would give her a new account and profile. We established a much more complex password for Louise’s new account, and then the love poured in.

First, a good friend threw a honey pot. Bees swarmed then flew off and revealed a rare Legendary King Bee. Kate gave the pet to Louise. Rare pets are a treasure. Then Rebecca gave Robux to Louise and clothing to accessorize her new character. Louise frequently trades and gives to all her friends, and they generously helped her re-establish her Roblox presence.

(I’m just a Noob, beginner, when it comes to Roblox or Adopt Me terms, but you can see the fun to be had. Who wouldn't want a Legendary rainbow Unicorn they can trade or sell for mega Robux. Maybe they can get a potion for a big head or shrink with a tiny potion. Plus, anyone can make a Roblox game. I’ve even played with learning the coding. It’s fun!)

My kids are learning lessons and interacting with friends through their phones and online games. Sometimes they pick up life lessons like building up and protecting each other in a community. They grow in understanding how to budget and work for things they want in their virtual life. Some of these skills will transfer to real life.

As for the hackers and online predators out there interfering with kids attempting to have some semblance of normality during this pandemic, I have nothing kind or nice to think or say. They are lower than detritus, the scum of the scum. They should rue the day I may discover them ‘live.’ The consequences will not be limited to banning from a video game.

Be vigilant concerning your children’s online presence and activities. They need emotional support and guidance through situations possibly way beyond their years.

Be safe and healthy.