The headteacher of Andrews’ Endowed CE Primary School in Holybourne has raised alarms about a significant online safety threat affecting children using the gaming platform Roblox. Gemma Gundry issued a warning to parents and caregivers regarding a harmful pop-up that prompts children to download an external application known as Pollybuzz, which may also be referred to as Pollyfuzz.
According to Mrs. Gundry, the application begins as an innocuous question-and-answer tool that creates an artificial intelligence ‘friend.’ Initially, interactions may seem harmless; however, the app rapidly progresses to displaying disturbing and harmful content, including references to self-harm, suicide, and pornography.
Guidelines for Online Safety
In response to this emerging threat, Mrs. Gundry provided parents and caregivers with a list of crucial online safety rules to discuss with their children. She emphasized the importance of instructing children not to click on unexpected pop-ups, such as advertisements or app download links, that may appear during gameplay.
Mrs. Gundry also urged children to report any concerning, inappropriate, or uncomfortable content to a trusted adult—be it a parent, caregiver, or teacher—immediately. She highlighted the necessity for parents to utilise parental controls on their children’s devices effectively.
“While we understand that managing online safety can be challenging, leveraging available platform tools is vital,” Mrs. Gundry noted. She pointed out that Roblox provides comprehensive parental controls designed to help manage and restrict a child’s in-app experience. Detailed instructions for setting up and customising these controls can be found on the official Roblox support page.
Ongoing Vigilance Required
Despite the effectiveness of these parental controls, Mrs. Gundry cautioned that they do not guarantee complete protection against all external threats. She stressed the importance of appropriate parental supervision and continuous communication regarding online safety.
“While parental controls are highly effective in blocking certain content and pop-ups, they are not a guaranteed solution for all external threats,” she stated. “Ongoing dialogue about online safety remains the most critical tool for protecting your child.”
As children increasingly engage with online platforms, the responsibility rests with both parents and educators to ensure a safer digital environment. The vigilance and proactive measures taken today will contribute significantly to the well-being of young users navigating the complexities of online interactions.
