Roblox is set to implement a new age-segregation system for users starting in mid-May 2024. This change will categorize users into three groups: Roblox Kids (ages 5-8), Roblox Select (ages 9-15), and Roblox (ages 16 and over).
The restructuring aims to enhance user safety and content appropriateness, aligning account types with content maturity labels. In the U.S., Kids accounts will have chat disabled by default and will only access Minimal and Mild experiences. Users aged 9-15 can chat with peers and “trusted friends,” accessing Moderate content, while users 16 and older will transition to a full Roblox account but will not gain access to Restricted content until they turn 18.
Roblox reports that over half of its users have completed age verification through ID checks or biometric scans. Following the global rollout by June 2024, those who have not completed verification will automatically be assigned to a Kids-like experience, limiting them to Mild-rated content and disabling chat functions.
To maintain age-appropriate content, Roblox will implement additional measures including ID verification for developers. Developers must verify their identities and pay a monthly fee of $5 for Roblox Plus. This is intended to encourage accurate content labeling. AI moderation will also oversee game content and chat to ensure compliance with maturity tags.
Concerns persist regarding the effectiveness of automated age verification processes. Reports have indicated that some users, including younger children, may bypass these checks. Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman emphasized the company’s commitment to user safety, stating, “If we get it wrong … we offer users multiple ways to correct that.” He noted that the platform constantly evaluates user behavior against age verification data.
In addition to age verification, Roblox plans to introduce new parental control features in June 2024. Parents will have the ability to block games and manage chat access until their child turns 16. They will also be able to approve games outside their child’s age bracket on a case-by-case basis, allowing for flexibility when older siblings are involved.
Roblox maintains that users aged 16 and older will receive early access to new games, which is intended to reduce the likelihood of younger users encountering inappropriate content. However, the company continues to face scrutiny over the potential risks associated with incorrect labeling and the overall reliability of its age verification system.
