Can You Discipline the Internet Without Losing It? Roblox Thinks So
Big Tech has spent years warning that banning users hurts engagement. Turns out, that might be nonsense, and Roblox has the data to prove it.
It’s one of the great internet myths: punish bad behavior and your users will vanish. Roblox, along with Northeastern University, just ran a massive 770,000-user experiment that quietly buries that fear.
The results? Longer suspensions, done early, actually work. Not just to reduce toxic behavior, but to make people pause, reflect, and return better.
The study tested how users responded to one-hour, one-day, and three-day bans. A one-day suspension led to 6.7% fewer reoffenses compared to one-hour bans; three-day bans did even better, cutting repeat misbehavior by 8.1%.
And when users were suspended early for first-time violations, the effects were dramatic, reducing repeat offenses by 12.6%. Most importantly, engagement didn’t crater. People stuck around.
This speaks to something bigger than Roblox:
- The deterrent effect lasted at least 3 weeks
- First-time suspensions had stronger behavioral impact
- Engagement remained high post-suspension
The takeaway is clear: early, measured interventions can nudge users back in line, without sacrificing community health or growth. If Roblox can balance engagement and enforcement, what’s stopping the rest of us, from startups to governments? Should we rethink how digital discipline shapes our future?
Read the full article on Fast Company.
----
💡 If you enjoyed this content, be sure to download my new app for a unique experience beyond your traditional newsletter.
This is one of many short posts I share daily on my app, and you can have real-time insights, recommendations and conversations with my digital twin via text, audio or video in 28 languages! Go to my PWA at app.thedigitalspeaker.com and sign up to take our connection to the next level! 🚀
If you are interested in hiring me as your futurist and innovation speaker, feel free to complete the below form.
Thanks for your inquiry
We have sent you a copy of your request and we will be in touch within 24 hours on business days.
If you do not receive an email from us by then, please check your spam mailbox and whitelist email addresses from @thedigitalspeaker.com.
In the meantime, feel free to learn more about The Digital Speaker here.
Or read The Digital Speaker's latest articles here.
Dr Mark van Rijmenam
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam, widely known as The Digital Speaker, isn’t just a #1-ranked global futurist; he’s an Architect of Tomorrow who fuses visionary ideas with real-world ROI. As a global keynote speaker, Global Speaking Fellow, recognized Global Guru Futurist, and 5-time author, he ignites Fortune 500 leaders and governments worldwide to harness emerging tech for tangible growth.
Recognized by Salesforce as one of 16 must-know AI influencers , Dr. Mark brings a balanced, optimistic-dystopian edge to his insights—pushing boundaries without losing sight of ethical innovation. From pioneering the use of a digital twin to spearheading his next-gen media platform Futurwise, he doesn’t just talk about AI and the future—he lives it, inspiring audiences to take bold action. You can reach his digital twin via WhatsApp at: +1 (830) 463-6967.
