Google & Roblox Launch Online Game World Teaching Kids About Internet Safety

Video screenshot via Google

Google and Roblox have banded together to make the internet a safer playground—literally. They’ve launched a new game, called Be Internet Awesome World, that gives young users a virtual crash course in dodging digital dangers without putting their real-world safety at risk.

Image via Google

Launched as part of the tech giant’s Be Internet Awesome program, which has already reached over 100 million children since 2017, this new experience on Roblox—boasting 79.5 million daily active users—endeavors to meet kids where they spend a significant chunk of their online time.

Image via Google

Players find themselves in the world of the ‘Internauts’, dressed in Google’s colors, and face scenarios against a villain named ‘The Glitch’ that mirror real-world internet hurdles. From the Kind Kingdom, where spreading positivity is the name of the game, to Mindful Mountain, which teaches the ins and outs of information sharing, each area focuses on a crucial aspect of protecting oneself online.

Image via Google

Reality River tests players’ ability to spot “phishy” scams, while the Tower of Defense puts their cybersecurity skills to the test.

Image via Google

Be Internet Awesome World’s design emphasizes learning through doing. Players tackle multiple mini-games, each addressing specific safety topics like creating strong passwords or identifying phishing attempts. This gaming world transforms internet safety lessons into an interactive adventure, making what could be dry subject matter into an engaging journey through a fantasy realm. The goal is to make these important lessons stick by offering immediate yet inconsequential feedback as young users learn through trial and error.

[via Android Police and Engadget, images via Google]