Roblox Enhances Child Safety by Blocking Adult Chats

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Roblox announces a significant safety initiative, prohibiting children from chatting with adult strangers on its platform. This landmark decision affects its vast user base of over 80 million daily players, nearly half of whom are under 13 years old.

The update includes mandatory age verification for all accounts using chat, commencing in December for users in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, with a worldwide rollout expected by January. This makes Roblox the first prominent gaming platform to require facial age estimation for chat privileges.

Under the revised system, users must undergo a camera-based age assessment within the Roblox app. The technology claims to estimate ages with a one-to-two-year accuracy for users aged five to 25. Following successful verification, players will be grouped into age brackets—under 9, 9–12, 13–15, 16–17, 18–20, and 21+. Communication will be restricted to similar age brackets unless two users designate each other as “trusted connections,” meant exclusively for acquaintances.

Children under 13 will still encounter strict limitations. Private messaging and various chat functionalities will remain inaccessible unless activated by a parent. Roblox emphasizes that these measures are intended to shield younger users from adult contacts, a consistent concern among families and regulatory bodies.

Roblox has faced ongoing scrutiny regarding child safety. The company is currently battling lawsuits in Texas, Kentucky, and Louisiana, alleging that it has failed to protect minors from predators. Previous BBC tests revealed instances where a 27-year-old and a 15-year-old were able to exchange messages on different devices, raising concerns about enforcement efficacy.

The update also brings privacy into focus. Roblox assures users that all images used for age verification are handled by a third-party provider and permanently deleted after the verification process. Parents will also maintain the ability to manage or update their child’s details post-verification.

The timing of Roblox's announcement coincides with increased international scrutiny. Australia is contemplating a social media prohibition for individuals under 16, while advocacy groups are pressuring gaming platforms to enhance protections. A virtual protest within Roblox this week highlighted these issues, with over 12,000 users signing a digital petition for safer platform features.

Through the new system, Roblox aims to offer more tailored experiences for varying age groups and limit the interactions between adults and vulnerable young players. This initiative seeks to redefine user engagement on the platform as the company strives to restore trust and comply with emerging online safety regulations across the globe.