When Cathy Hackl’s son wanted to throw a party for his ninth birthday, he didn’t ask for favors for his friends or themed decorations. Instead, he asked if they could hold the celebration on Roblox. On the digital platform, which allows users to play and create a multitude of games, Hackl’s son and his friends would attend the party as their virtual avatars.

“They hung out and played and went to different other games together,” she says. “The fact that it happens in a virtual space does not make it any less real. It’s very real to my son.”

The futility of organizing an outdoor pandemic event in January was not the only reason Hackl’s son pushed for a digital event. Roblox may be unknown…