Roblox will soon enforce age checks to limit conversations between minors and adults
Wildly popular UGC platform Roblox is in the process of rolling out age-based chat restrictions that will limit communications between minors and adults.
Roblox owner Roblox Corp claimed it will be the first online gaming or communication platform to require age checks for communication. It's a move the company said will set a "new industry standard" that will limit conversations to users within the same or similar age brackets.
Roblox Corp has been widely criticized and frequently sued for allegedly failing to protect minors and enabling child predators. Earlier this month, Roblox Corp was sued by the State of Texas for purportedly putting "pedophiles and profits" first in what was the latest in a flurry of similar litigation. Roblox Corp has repeatedly denied those allegations while rolling out new safety features.
"Were unlocking chat and age-appropriate experiences for our users by requiring them to complete an age check through Facial Age Estimation or ID verification1. Once the age check is complete, users will only be allowed to chat with others in similar age groups, unless they become Trusted Connections with people they know," reads a blog post detailing the latest addition to Roblox's roster of child safety tools.
"This initiative is designed to provide even more age-appropriate experiences for all users, which we believe will improve interactions for users of all ages on Roblox."
Roblox users can now voluntarily run through the Facial Age Estimation process to gain access to communication features. Roblox Corp will begin enforcing age check requirements beginning the first week of December in select markets including Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
Age check requirements will then be enforced worldwide in January 2026.
Roblox will lean on third-party vendor Persona to provide ' fast' and 'secure' age checks"Were using privacy protective methods to conduct age checks. The Facial Age Estimation process is fast, secure, and completed through the Roblox app using the devices camera," continues the blog post.
"Images and video for age checks completed through Facial Age Estimation are processed by our vendor, Persona, and deleted immediately after processing. Age checks are completely optional; however, features like chat will not be accessible unless the age check is complete."
Roblox Corp said it consulted child development experts to define "common-sense limits" on who can chat together. After users complete the age check process, they will be sorted into one of the following age groups: Under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, or 21+.
Users will then be able to chat with others in their group and similar groups, as appropriate. It will only be possible for young users to speak to people outside of that pool through the "Trusted Connections" tool, which Roblox Corp claims will help families play together.
"Trusted Connections, available to all eligible users aged 13 and older, provide a unique environment for users to interact with self-identified trusted individuals. Trusted Connections are a subset of your overall Connections who you know and trust," reads another explainer.
"Just like regular Connections, Trusted Connections are a two way connection. If either user chooses not to add the other as a Trusted Connection, or removes the other as a Trusted Connection, then neither user will see the other as a Trusted Connection."
Roblox Corp emphasized that age-checked users aged between 13 to 17 will only be able to add Trusted Connections through select real-life channels such as scannable QR codes or the Contact Importer. "This helps ensure these cross-age connections are based on existing real-life relationships," added the company.
