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A primary school head teacher has warned parents about the dangers of allowing their children to use the Roblox app, as it allows them to be contacted by millions of strangers.

The Roblox app has more than 30 million players and allows users - who are supposed to be aged between eight and 12 - to "explore virtual worlds" in what looks like a Lego game.

Iain Linsdell, headteacher at Poplar Street Primary School in Audenshaw near Manchester, fears the app's 'chat' feature might allow strangers to contact children, the Manchester Evening News reports .

A Roblox spokesman emphasised there is an option for parents to switch off the 'chat' button completely.

Mr Linsdell sent a letter to parents last week, stating that pupils had raised concerns about people trying to talk to them, and that the school had a "duty of care" to its students.

(Image: MEN WS)

He wrote: "Firstly, there is a messaging facility as part of the game where youngsters can be contacted by strangers.

"The app states that it is 'the best place to imagine with friends', but there is no way to screen contacts or disable the messaging. You have no way of knowing who it is you are talking to."

He added: "Despite claiming to be a 'Kidsafe' site and monitor the use of those under 12, we were easily able to make an account, saying we were three years old and then proceed to play games for over 18s."

Mr Linsdell claims teachers were able to play violent games including Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty and Halo, despite their account being registered to a 'three-year-old'.

(Image: Gazette Live)

Mr Linsdell's letter comes after a concerned mother in Sunderland discovered her eight-year-old daughter had received sick messages asking, 'Hello cupcake, do you want to meet up?'

Former rugby league star Iain Morrison was also sickened to discover that his young son had received messages from strangers asking him to perform sex acts.

A spokesman for Roblox said: “The safety of our community is a top priority and we’re constantly assessing and improving our trust and safety measures. There are several safeguards in place to protect our users that utilize current technology and human oversight.

“Together we want to work with parents and the community to stay vigilant over today’s online landscape and continue to build best practices to avoid negative situations. We want to make sure that all users are aware of the potential challenges and navigate them through it.

(Image: Gazette Live)

“This is a priority for us. We want all users to be safe on Roblox, and we will continue to invest in the safety of the game so it is a positive, productive, fun and protected space for our community. We would like to hear from parents if they have questions or suggestions.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Any app that allows strangers to send messages to children, particularly when they are of a sexual nature is troubling.

"We would urge parents to have a conversation with their children so they know how to stay safe online. The NSPCC and O2’s Net Aware site offers a no nonsense guide on social networks, apps and games to help adults keep up-to-date with the digital world and keep children safe.”

To find out how to disable chat on Roblox, click here .