Roblox Enhances Child Safety with New Age Verification for Chat Features Amidst Legal Challenges

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Roblox, the immensely popular online gaming platform, is implementing a significant new safety measure requiring age verification for its chat features. This move comes as the company faces numerous lawsuits alleging that the platform endangers children and facilitates their exploitation. The new policy aims to create a safer environment by restricting communication between users of vastly different age groups.

Key Takeaways

Roblox is introducing facial age estimation and government ID verification for chat access.
The feature aims to prevent inappropriate communication and protect younger users from potential predators.
The rollout begins in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands in December, with a global launch in January.
The company is facing multiple lawsuits related to child safety concerns.

Age Verification Rollout

Starting in December, users in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands will be required to undergo age verification to access full chat functionalities. This will be followed by a global rollout in January. The system will employ facial age estimation technology, where users can opt for a quick selfie to estimate their age, or provide a government ID. This verification process will categorize users into age groups, such as under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, and 21+.

Enhanced Chat Restrictions

The new policy will enforce "age-based chat," meaning users will primarily be able to communicate with others within their own age bracket or similar age groups. An exception is the "trusted connection" feature, which allows users to add friends they know, even if they fall into different age categories. For users younger than 13, chat features will continue to have strict filtering to block inappropriate content and the sharing of personal information.

Addressing Lawsuits and Safety Concerns

Roblox has been embroiled in dozens of lawsuits across the country, with allegations that the platform has been used by sexual predators to connect with and abuse children. Some legal actions even suggest the platform’s design may have facilitated such abuse. The company states that this new age verification system is a "gold standard" for industry safety, aiming to strengthen protections for younger players while respecting user privacy. Experts from organizations like the Future of Privacy Forum and the Family Online Safety Institute have lauded the proactive approach to age assurance.

Parental Controls and Future Development

In addition to the age verification, Roblox is enhancing its Parental Controls. Parents will be able to view their child’s linked account and modify their birthday settings after the child completes the facial age estimation. The company emphasizes its continuous development of safety features, though some critics question the timing and effectiveness of these measures, suggesting potential workarounds still exist.