Roblox, a widely-used gaming platform with millions of young players, is introducing significant safety enhancements to its chat features. Starting in December, users in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands will need to undergo facial age verification to access full chat capabilities. This rollout will expand globally in January, aiming to create a safer online environment for children.
Key Takeaways
- Full chat access on Roblox will now require facial age verification.
- The new policy aims to prevent children from communicating with adult strangers.
- Rollout begins in December for select countries, expanding globally in January.
- Age-based chat restrictions will be implemented, with options for "trusted connections."
Enhanced Safety Measures
Roblox has faced scrutiny regarding its safety protocols, particularly concerning younger users’ exposure to inappropriate content and interactions with unknown adults. In response, the platform is rolling out a "privacy-preserving implementation of thoughtful age assurance." This new policy will segment chat access based on age groups, including under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, and 21+.
Users will primarily be able to chat with others within their own age bracket or similar age groups. A "trusted connection" feature will allow users to communicate with individuals they know, regardless of age differences. For children under 13, chat will continue to have strict filtering to block inappropriate content and the sharing of personal information.
Parental Controls and Industry Standards
Parents will maintain access to their child’s linked account and can manage birthday information through Parental Controls after the facial age estimation is completed. The platform emphasizes that these tools offer transparency for parents of teens, allowing them to see who their children are connecting with. Roblox describes its new policy as a "safety gold standard" for the gaming industry, with endorsements from organizations like the Future of Privacy Forum and the Family Online Safety Institute, who praise the proactive approach to digital safety and responsible innovation.
