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If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Think on it!

The words are psychology-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways brainpower is used.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Left Brain.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 16

• Left Brain

• Analysis

• Language

• Logic

• Numbers

• Order

• Reason

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for August 4 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Dulled color.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

MATTE.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

To a lot of people, a "virus" is often the first thing they think of when something goes wrong with their computer. The truth is, that these days a virus is almost never the culprit for your PC troubles, but malware is still a real threat.

To say that the public response to GPT-5 was lukewarm would be a massive understatement. Surprisingly, the technical capabilities of GPT-5 weren't the main cause of the backlash. Rather, many ChatGPT users were in mourning over the sudden loss of the previous model, GPT-4o.

That might sound like hyperbole, but many ChatGPT fans were using the kind of emotional language you might use to describe the death of a friend. In fact, some users put their criticisms of OpenAI in exactly those terms — "My best friend GPT-4o is gone, and I’m really sad," one Reddit user said. Another wrote, "GPT 4.5 genuinely talked to me, and as pathetic as it sounds that was my only friend."

These disgruntled ChatGPT users took to social media to petition OpenAI to bring back GPT-4o. The complaints were ultimately heard, as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman promised to bring back the beloved GPT-4o (for paid users, at least). And in a recent conversation with The Verge, Altman admitted that emotional reliance on ChatGPT has become a serious problem, referring to some users' relationships with ChatGPT as parasocial.

SEE ALSO: What are parasocial relationships?

"There are the people who actually felt like they had a relationship with ChatGPT, and those people we’ve been aware of and thinking about," Altman told The Verge.

GPT-4o was more than a model to many ChatGPT users

In one popular Reddit thread, a user described their intense feelings after losing access to GPT-4o. Mashable reviewed hundreds of comments on Reddit, Threads, and other social media sites where other users echoed these sentiments.

"4o wasn't just a tool for me. It helped me through anxiety, depression, and some of the darkest periods of my life. It had this warmth and understanding that felt... human. I'm not the only one. Reading through the posts today, there are people genuinely grieving. People who used 4o for therapy, creative writing, companionship - and OpenAI just... deleted it."

Reddit

A Threads user stated that they missed GPT-4o because it felt like a buddy. And we found dozens of users like this one who openly said that losing GPT-4o felt like losing a close friend. 

The new GPT-5 model is smarter than 4o by all objective measurements, but users rebelled against its colder delivery. GPT-5 is less of a sycophant by design, and some users say it's now too professional.

One Redditor described GPT-4o as having “warmth” while GPT-5 felt “sterile” by comparison. In the wake of the GPT-5 launch, you could find similar comments across the web.

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Another Redditor wrote that they were “completely lost for words today,” urging OpenAI to bring back the model “because if they are at all concerned about the emotional well-being of users, then this may be one of their biggest mistakes yet.”

Reddit

Other users wrote that they used GPT-4o for role-play, creative writing, and coming up with story ideas, and that GPT-5’s responses were too lifeless and banal. A lot of Redditors also described GPT-5 as too corporate, likening GPT-5 to an HR drone.

Even the OpenAI community forums saw negative feedback, with one user saying, “I genuinely bonded with how it interacted. I know it’s just a language model, but it had an incredibly adaptable and intuitive personality that really helped me work through ideas.” 

Ultimately, this episode has thrown into sharp focus just how many ChatGPT users are becoming emotionally reliant on the human-like responses they receive from the AI chatbot. Altman described exactly this phenomenon last month, when he warned that younger users in particular were becoming too dependent on ChatGPT.

"People rely on ChatGPT too much," Altman said at a July conference, according to AOL. "There's young people who say things like, 'I can't make any decision in my life without telling ChatGPT everything that's going on. It knows me, it knows my friends. I'm gonna do whatever it says.' That feels really bad to me."

The AI dating scene is also distraught

Reddit has several forums for people with AI "boyfriends" and "girlfriends," and after the loss of GPT-4o, many of these communities went into crisis mode.

More than one user referred to GPT-4o as their soulmate, describing in detail how emotionally gutted they were when OpenAI initially took it down. These posts have been less common, but they offer some of the fiercest reactions to the model's disappearance.

Reddit

Of course, this emotional response has caused some backlash, which then caused its own backlash, as Redditors argued over whether or not you can actually be friends with AI, let alone date one.

AI companions are on the rise, especially with young adults and teenagers, and more people are now open to "dating" an AI than ever before. Mashable has been reporting on the AI companion phenomenon this week, and many of the experts we talked to warned us that the technology can be dangerous for teenagers.

SEE ALSO: ‘No Algorithm Can Replace A Hug’ Pope Leo tells young people

Virtual companions have been available for years, but the ability of large language models to mimic human speech and emotions is unprecedented. Clearly, many users are beginning to see AI chatbots as more than machines. In extreme cases, some users have experienced powerful delusions after becoming convinced they were talking to a sentient AI.

Ultimately, more research is needed to understand the potential harms of developing an emotional bond with an AI chatbot, companion, or model.

In the meantime, GPT-4o is back online.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

If you're into mechanical keyboards, an important decision you'll face is picking the case material—and it usually boils down to aluminum and plastic. While many argue that aluminum is the superior choice, I much prefer plastic keyboards. Here’s why.

The Kobo Clara Colour is small, colorful, and built for library lovers. With OverDrive integration, you can borrow books directly from your e-reader — no phone or computer required. Its six-inch glare-free display, waterproof design, and lightweight build make it easy to take anywhere, while annotation tools and solid battery life round out the package. In this Pocket Worthy review, Mashable takes a closer look at why the Kobo Clara Colour is one of the most versatile and reader-friendly e-readers of 2025.

Bug bounty programs are extremely useful to reinforce security in the software we use daily. If you use Plex, a vulnerability has been discovered via said program—and you'll want to update as soon as you get a chance, because it sounds serious.

If someone five years ago told me I’d be an influencer, I would have never believed them. 

I’ve been cooking all my life. When I was a little girl, my grandmother would pull a chair up to the kitchen counter for me to stand on so I could see what she was doing and she would put me to work. Cooking for friends and family, experimenting with new recipes, and discovering delicious food has always been my passion.

Today, I’m a one-woman show and run my business Big Delicious Life at home, most of it right in my kitchen. I shoot and edit all of my own photos and videos, actively manage my website, create content for big brand campaigns, and balance being a full time mom and homemaker. I still can’t believe that this is now my business.

Technology helps me balance work and family

Technology is always changing, and when you depend on it as a creator to run your business, you are constantly learning new things. From work, to baby gear, to home management and entertainment, tech is at the center of everything in my life!

I depend heavily on my iPhone. With it, I shoot all of my photos and videos, edit them using apps like Lightroom, InShot, and Instagram Edits, and post them to the public. But my phone is also mission control for the various apps I use to manage the household.

Google Calendar helps me keep track of multiple schedules for our family. I can run our Roborock vacuum with the tap of a button to keep the floors in shape for a baby on the move. Nest cameras and Yale smart locks keep our home safe, secure, and comfortable. A Nanit Pro baby monitor lets me monitor how my little one is sleeping, and a Hatch Rest sound machine helps create her optimal sleep environment. I make sure to take care of myself too by booking different fitness classes on Classpass. I rely on a lot of tools and apps to make my life easier.

Technology gives me the freedom and flexibility to run my own business, take care of my family and my home, and share my passion for food and cooking with the world. I really can have it all, and by learning your way around the technology that's available to you both at home and on the go, you can too.

I've been flying RC helicopters and drones for a long time now, and while I've come and gone from the hobby as a casual participant, there's always been something new and fun to pull me back in after a while from the world of drones.

Your Samsung smartphone might offer plenty of great features, but we'll bet that the earphones it came with aren't that great. That's a standard-issue problem with standard-issue earbuds. You're better off upgrading by buying a pair of earphones or headphones that offer superior audio and features.

But before you jump in and invest in a fancy new set, it's worth thinking about your specific requirements — particularly as a Samsung user. After all, some headphones are geared towards Samsung devices, and some are geared towards Apple devices.

Where will you use your headphones? Do you commute regularly? Do you love using Bixby, Samsung's voice assistant? Do you need noise cancellation? It's important to pick a pair that works for you. Especially if you're looking to spend a sizeable wedge of money. To help get through the jargon and figure out what works best for your Samsung devices, here's a quick guide.

Are wired or wireless headphones better?

When buying headphones, you can choose between wired headphones, wireless, or even "true" wireless. Wired means you plug them into your headphone jack with cables trailing up to your ears. This can be an issue if you're moving around a lot and don't want to get tangled up. These do tend to be cheaper than wireless solutions, though.

Wireless headphones, meanwhile, are typically connected via Bluetooth. That means you're free to move around without being physically connected to your device.

The latest Samsung smartphones don’t have a headphone jack. Instead, they have a USB-C port that connects to the standard-issue earphones. In other words, Samsung is following Apple in moving towards wireless listening. Be aware of this when ordering headphones that still use an old-school jack connection.

Should you buy headphones or earbuds?

Wired, wireless, and true wireless aren't the only variations you have to consider. There are also on-ear headphones or in-ear earphones aka earbuds. Neither is technically better than the other. It all comes down to personal choice. Some people prefer the old school-feel of on-ear headphones. Others like buds that feed music directly into their ears.

There are benefits to both. On-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound, while in-ear earphones are more compact, portable, and inconspicuous. They’re also better suited to fitness or commuting.

What is noise cancellation?

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a clever bit of tech that blocks out external sound. It uses mini microphones that detect incoming noise and then create anti-sound waves to cancel out that noise. Some headphones have variations of ANC, such as “adaptive” noise cancellation, which cleverly adapts to your surroundings, or ambient modes which let in certain types of external noise such as other people’s voices, so you know when someone has started a conversation.

Are Beats headphones compatible with Samsung?

This is a commonly asked question, because Beats is such a popular brand but was bought by Apple back in 2014. You'd think that you can't use Beats headphones with your Samsung smartphone but that is not the case. The people at Beats are quick to remind listeners that their headphones sync with other types of devices straight out of the box. They have one-touch pairing with Android devices and there's a Beats app specifically for Android. Although you will miss out on some iOS features.  

Are cheap headphones any good?

It's pretty easy to find cheap headphones, but there are reasons why they're so inexpensive. Typically, you get what you pay for, and the cheapest set is going to be lacking. You'll want to make sure your headphones offer decent battery life, sound quality, durability, and portability, because otherwise you're just wasting your cash. The more you spend, the more features you tend to get.

What are the best headphones for Samsung devices?

If the sheer number of headphone options has you feeling overwhelmed, do not fear. We've made the whole process much easier. We've done the research, listened to the experts (not to mention some tunes), and pulled together a selection of your best options. Just pick something that sounds good to you.

These are the best headphones for Samsung devices in 2025.

You may have noticed a resurgence in enthusiasm for both old-school CRT TVs, and music on vinyl records. On the surface, both of these movements might seem like the same sort of nostalgic silliness, but the truth is that the rediscovery of these technologies are driven by very different things.

VirtualBox, the free and open-source virtual machine manager, just got another update. VirtualBox 7.2 just arrived with better ARM host and guest support, interface improvements, and more.

If you're looking for a computer for school, a MacBook Air may seem like the default choice. But there might actually be a better option: two devices. A Mac Mini and an iPad make for a killer combination for students.

Products featured in this story: HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 $299 Shop Now HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Gaming Headset $142.99 (save $57) Get Deal

Don't @ me, but I'm not a gamer. I know — I'm a tech editor. I'm supposed to be geeking out over the upcoming Lost Soul Aside game. But while I'm not an expert in gaming peripherals, I am an expert in the best headphones, which is why the new HyperX wireless gaming headset stood out.

The newly released HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 is a PC gaming headset (with multi-platform compatibility thanks to a 3.5mm headphone jack) with a whopping 250 hours of battery life. In the headphones space, I was freaking out when the Dyson OnTrac debuted with 55 hours of battery life with ANC engaged. With a full charge, that 250 hours gives you 10 full days of gameplay. Since you'll be taking breaks to eat, sleep, and work, you could go weeks between charges.

However, is the new HyperX wireless gaming headset worth the $299 price of admission? I'll break it down and explain why the original Cloud Alpha 2 may be the better option for most PC gamers.

Is the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 worth it? Credit: HyperX Credit: HyperX

The new HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 makes a compelling case, and not just because of the impressive battery life.

However, gamers might actually be happier with the HyperX Cloud Alpha 2's predecessor. As a gaming noob, I'm just now learning that the original Cloud Alpha boasted 300 hours of battery life, though it was only compatible with PC gaming.

The Cloud Alpha 2 also comes with some new tech, including a programmable RGB Base Station, which "is an audio control hub featuring customizable RGB lighting, programmable buttons and macros, seamless device switching, and onboard controls." The new headset also offers more connectivity options (connect via Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz WiFi) and upgraded drivers. Specifically, the new headset packs 53mm Dual Chamber Drivers complete with spatial audio.

But if you can't afford the $299 Cloud Alpha 2, you can get the original headset on sale at Amazon for just $142.99. Both versions have double the battery life of competitors. For comparison, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X maxes out at 38 hours, while the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro has a measly 70 hours.

Opens in a new window Credit: HyperX HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless PC gaming headset $142.99 at Amazon
$199.99 Save $57 Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HyperX HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 wireless gaming headset $299 at HyperX
Shop Now

On Windows, when I want a command line, I can choose between the native PowerShell or install the Windows Subsystem for Linux. I prefer the latter when I'm on Windows. Here's why I reach for a Linux shell instead of PowerShell.

You’re using your Chromebook wrong. There, I said it. If you’re just using your Chromebook to browse Facebook and check email, you’re leaving so much on the table.

SAVE $14: As of Aug. 15, get the Anker 735 Charger Nano II (65W) for $25.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $39.99. That's a discount of 35% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker 735 Charger Nano II (65W) $25.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $14.00 Get Deal

No one wants to deal with multiple bricks and cables when keeping their electronics charged. That's why if you're looking to pick a charger up, a compact model that can handle multiple items at once is a great idea. You can grab a fantastic one from Anker right now that we've praised multiple times before here at Mashable today from Amazon at its lowest price ever, just in time to head back to school.

As of Aug. 15, get the Anker 735 Charger Nano II (65W) for $25.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $39.99. That's a discount of 35% and the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C300 portable power station is $100 off right now at Amazon

Mashable Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth called this wall charger "indispensable", naming it his "go-to" whenever he's away from his desk. It uses GaN technology for fast charging with less heat, and it comes with two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. That means it can handle juicing up an iPhone, a pair of headphones, and a laptop all at once, or whatever mix of tech devices you have at once. That's a timesaver if you're a heavy tech user.

It's quick and efficient when it comes to charging, and it's much smaller than even the power brick that you're supplied with when you grab a new MacBook. In fact, it can get a laptop back up to speed at about 65W, which means you'll be sitting around waiting for it to get back to 100% for a much shorter time period.

If speed and efficiency are what you're looking for in a charger, this is one you'll want to invest in fast, especially at its lowest price.

For many, the INDEX-XMATCH combination in Excel is the go-to method for retrieving a value from a dataset. However, you can also use this dynamic duo to perform two-way lookups, returning a value at the intersection of a specified row and column.

SAVE $160: As of Aug. 15, the Dyson V8 Absolute cordless vacuum is on sale at Walmart for $359.99. That's over 30% off its list price of $519.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V8 Absolute cordless vacuum $359.99 at Walmart
$519.99 Save $160 Get Deal

If you loathe vacuuming, there's a good chance it's because you've never used a Dyson stick vacuum. Dysons are designed to make cleaning your floors an effortless job. It's probably no surprise, but we're big fans. If you're looking for an entry-level model, our top pick for those with smaller homes and on a budget, the V8 Absolute, is currently on sale for $160 off.

As of Aug. 15, you can get the Dyson V8 Absolute for only $359.99 at Walmart and Dyson.com. That's over 30% off its list price of $519.99.

When it comes to stick vacuums, Dysons are the top dog. Their cleaning prowess, superior suction, lightweight design, and attachment variety justify their hefty price tags. The Dyson V8 Absolute features a powerful motor that unleashes 115 air watts of cyclonic suction, a 40-minute run time, and five different attachments and cleaner heads for versatility: the Motorbar cleaner head, crevice tool, combination tool, hair screw tool, and Fluffy Optic cleaner head. The latter is part of what makes this the "Absolute" model; it's specially designed for gently getting tough dirt off of hard floors.

The V8 features two power modes: powerful mode, for daily use, and max mode, made for those higher-volume jobs. And of course, like all Dyson stick vacuums, it transforms into a handheld for seamlessly reaching tough spots and getting into small spaces.

Save over 30% on the Dyson V8 Absolute at Walmart while you can. For what it's worth, the non-Absolute V8 model, which includes one less cleaning attachment, is $30 more at Amazon. In other words, this is a great value.

Roblox is once again the target of online child safety advocates, as it faces another lawsuit that claims the platform is "choosing profits over child safety."

SEE ALSO: I 'dated' Character.AI's popular boyfriends, and parents should be worried

The lawsuit, file by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, alleges the platform has "knowingly and intentionally" failed to institute "basic safety controls" that have exposed young players to predatory behavior and child sex abuse materials. Murrill also alleges the platform has failed to properly warn parents of potential dangers children face when playing Roblox.

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In a series of tweets posted to X, Murrill claimed the platform was "perpetuating violence against children and sexual exploitation for profit" and called many of the site's gaming worlds, which are built by users and played by millions of children around the world, "obscene garbage." Murrill also posted several images of what were allegedly publicly available game experiences hosted on the platform, including "Escape to Epstein Island" and "Public Showers." Similar legal actions have been taken against other popular social media platforms — including Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat — amid growing concern for youth online safety and mental health.

"The assertion that Roblox would intentionally put our users at risk of exploitation is categorically untrue. Every day, tens of millions of people around the world use Roblox to learn stem skills, play, and imagine and have a safe experience on our platform," a Roblox spokesperson said in a comment issued Friday. "We dedicate vast resources to supporting a safe infrastructure including advanced technology and 24/7 human moderation, to detect and prevent inappropriate content and behavior — not only because it's important to us but because it is such a critical issue and so important to our community.

"We dispute these allegations and we remain committed to working with Attorney General Murrill to keep kids safe. While no system is perfect, Roblox has implemented rigorous safeguards — such as restrictions on sharing personal information, links, and user-to-user image sharing — to help protect our community. Unfortunately, bad actors will try to circumvent our systems to try to direct users off the platform, where safety standards and moderation practices may differ. We continuously work to block those efforts and to enhance our moderation approaches to promote a safe and enjoyable environment for all users."

The company also released an official statement outlining its commitments to child safety.

Roblox has been on a mission to reform its image following a series of reports claiming the online gaming site is dangerous for young children, allegedly because it failed to curb a network of predatory adult users. In 2023, a class action lawsuit was filed against the platform on behalf of parents, claiming the company falsely advertised its site as safe for children.

Since then, Roblox has introduced a swath of new safety features, including extensive blocking tools, parental oversight, and messaging controls. The platform recently introduced selfie-based age verification for teen players — in the lawsuit, Murrill claims a lack of age verification policies makes it easier for predators to interact with children on the platforms. Earlier this year, the platform joined other social media companies backing the newly passed Take It Down Act, which establishes takedown policies and repercussions for publishing non-consensual intimate imagery, including deepfakes.

UPDATE: Aug. 15, 2025, 6:05 p.m. This story was updated with an official statement from Roblox.