Freshman Jet Vattanatham participated in a Wild West-themed fashion show, jumped from rock to rock on a tropical island and survived a category 5 hurricane — all during her 50 minute lunch break. Vattanatham has immersed herself in these worlds, alongside other Archer students, by playing Roblox.

Roblox is an online video game platform that allows users to design games, customize their avatars and interact with others in a virtual world. Players can program and play games created by themselves and other players. Vattanatham said she plays Roblox at school to connect with her friends.

“We all have the same humor. It’s really fun for us to do things on games, and we always get laughs out of it,” Vattanatham said. “It’s always fun to talk about, like ‘What are the new updates for this game?’ or ‘What’s a new technique?’”

According to The Shelf, 42.3% of Roblox users are under the age of 13. With the Roblox player demographic dominated by Gen Alpha, upper school players surpass this age group. Junior Serenity Jones said she played Roblox in middle school and recently returned to the game because it evokes nostalgia.

“It was definitely something I used to play with my friends during COVID,” Jones said. “It’s honestly kind of nostalgic playing again because I’m just chopping it up with my friends. It’s kind of funny that I feel like a 12-year-old again, but it’s still really fun.” 

Due to Archer’s new technology policy, many students have opted to use their free periods to play Roblox on their computers rather than scrolling on their phones. Despite this change, Vathanatham noticed she continues to prioritize her schoolwork, even when her friends are playing. 

“I think I balance it well. I have some friends who maybe don’t, but I feel like I do,” Vattanatham said. “I get all my work done, I do it well, and I still have time to play — Roblox is reserved for my free periods.” 

In contrast with Vathanatham, Jones said Roblox has become a distraction during school. She said she often finds herself choosing Roblox over her schoolwork. 

“When I’m playing, either on my iPad or on my computer, I’ll log onto Roblox during class or something just to check,” Jones said. “Maybe I want to check on Dress to Impress, who knows?”

Jones’ game preference is a common one. Out of 60 Archer high school students surveyed, 50% said Dress to Impress was their favorite game. “Dress to Impress” is a game where players customize their avatars’ outfits and compete in a fashion show. Each round has a different theme, and players rate each outfit on a scale from one to five, based on how well it follows the theme. The winner is rewarded with virtual currency, or DTI stars, which determines the player’s rank in the game.

“It’s so much fun to play and connect with my peers online and then join them in Dress to Impress, hype each other up and give them 5 stars all around,” Tooley said. 

Another popular Roblox game among Archer students is Natural Disaster Survival, where players attempt to survive natural disasters and avoid hazards on various maps. The game features a range of disasters, including floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Junior Cleo Wilson said Archer students tend to play Roblox to feel included in group activities. According to The American Psychological Association, spending quality time with friends can improve mental health and add to someone’s sense of belonging. 

School Counselor Erica Greene said she believes playing games during school is a major distraction and should be limited. She said screen time should be consumed in moderation. However, Greene did acknowledge playing games with peers can encourage friendships, improve conflict resolution skills and foster bonding and connection.

“In general, playing games together online can be a good way for kids to connect while they are not at school, but online games have their own safety concerns,” Greene said. “Parents need to be aware of this as they make decisions about which games kids have access to.”

The Pew Research Center found spending time with friends virtually is just as impactful as time unplugged. Many teens feel relaxed and happy when they’re online, and 38% of teens feel more connected to their friends while playing video games. Contrastingly, most adults think their teens play video games too much, and gaming time should be limited.

However, Vattanatham said she believes Roblox is positively impacting Archer’s social scene, allowing her to meet new people and strengthen existing friendships.

“Last year was my first year here, and I didn’t have many friends,” Vattanatham said. “Playing Roblox with others has really helped me get along with others.” 

Wilson said the new trend over the past couple of years of playing Roblox has reshaped how students connect and interact. She said playing Roblox has allowed students to bond over shared interests.

“I think [Roblox] has made an impact on the social scene at Archer — I’ve seen people huddled in groups, all playing together and talking and laughing, and it’s brought people together,” Wilson said. “You don’t have to have a lot in common to play a game.” 

This story was originally published on The Oracle on October 4, 2024.