Popular social game platform Roblox has begun its voluntary age checks for players using in-game chat features. The change brings age-based communications to the platform, allowing players to communicate only with users within their age group. Roblox Corporation announced it would incorporate age estimation features earlier this year, a move that followed continued controversies, including government litigation, high-profile kidnappings, and vocal child safety concerns. Ultimately, Roblox says it hopes the implementation will “limit communication between minors and adults.”
Roblox CFO Matt Kaufman and Product VP Rajiv Bhatia explained the change to users in a newswire post on Tuesday. “Today, we are sharing what we believe will become the gold standard for communication safety, and announcing our plans to require a facial age check for all users accessing chat features, making us the first online gaming or communication platform to do so.” The post continues: “We’re unlocking chat and age-appropriate experiences for our users by requiring them to complete an age check through Facial Age Estimation or ID verification.
How does age verification work?
Roblox is conducting age verification in its app using facial age estimation technology from Persona Identities, Inc., a San Francisco-based software company that social platforms like Reddit have increasingly adopted since its 2018 inception.
When users log in to Roblox, the new feature will take a 3D face scan using their webcam or smartphone camera. Persona will then use artificial intelligence to estimate the subject’s age. 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.” After verification, Roblox sorts users into new age-appropriate categories: 9 and under, 9 to 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, 18 to 20, and 21+. Roblox says users aren’t stuck in these groups, but can now communicate “only with peers in their group or similar groups, as appropriate.”
Not all users need to submit facial scans, but Roblox requires players who want to use in-game chat features to do so. The platform also noted that age checks are required for users to “access social media links on user profiles, communities, and experience detail pages.”
Roblox also says any images or videos will be “deleted immediately after processing,” but many parents and lawmakers still have reservations. Like many online platforms, Roblox does not permit those aged 13 and under to use chat features without express permission from a parent or guardian. However, this rule didn’t go into effect until November 18, 2024 — exactly one year ago today.
Despite growing barriers between children and unsafe online content, some young users will attempt to skirt user guidelines by fudging their ages. This and other fraudulent attempts to bypass protections are what Roblox hopes to curb using facial scans.
Roblox’s ‘Trusted Connections’
Roblox has launched Trusted Connections, a service the site says will replace more commonplace social media “friends.” The platform explains the distinction on its website:
“As our platform has grown, the term ‘friend’ has become a broad umbrella that doesn’t fully capture these diverse relationships. Users often add others for shared game objectives, creative collaborations, or general interest, meaning their ‘friend’ list can include close acquaintances alongside people they rarely interact with. To better reflect this range of connections and how our users interact, we’re renaming Friends to Connections across our platform. This change helps users differentiate between casual acquaintances and their closer, deeper relationships.”
Safety Concerns
Child safety concerns eclipse the site’s new age-verification processes; platform practices have, by and large, come under increasing scrutiny over the last 12 months. Platform opponents say the site doesn’t do enough to combat online predators. The most recent example comes from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Earlier this month, Paxton sued Roblox, alleging the site prioritizes “pixel pedophiles” and profit over minor protections. “We cannot allow platforms like Roblox to continue operating as digital playgrounds for predators where the well-being of our kids is sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed.”
Paxton joins two other state Attorneys General in filing suits against Roblox. All three AGs cite child safety concerns. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill, the first to file, submitted a suit back in August. Kentucky AG Russell Coleman followed, suing the company for similar reasons in October. Other Attorneys General have subpoenaed the site, demanding details about its moderation practices. State Attorneys General Gentner Drummond and James Uthmeier — Oklahoma and Florida, respectively — have been pressing Roblox over the last three months.
Parent Information
Are you the parent of a burgeoning gamer? Head to Roblox’s Parental Controls page for more technical details, including instructions on how to modify and restrict your child’s account settings. Additionally, be sure to check out Roblox’s digestible new YouTube video breaking down its new age checks.
While players in the United States are not required to participate, Roblox said it will begin enforcing age verification in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands in early December. Enforcement will extend to applicable regions worldwide at the start of 2026.
EDITOR’S NOTE (Nov. 20, 2025 @ 12:57 p.m.): Title and “Parent Information” portion edited for clarity (i.e., verification enforcement rollout by region). URL adjusted to mirror new title.
Follow us on MSN for more content you love.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.