Roblox, one of the world’s most popular gaming platforms, will block children from chatting with adult strangers as part of an expanded set of safety measures.
Mandatory age checks using facial verification technology will be introduced for accounts accessing chat features. The rollout begins in December for users in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, followed by a global implementation in January.
The move comes after years of criticism over the platform’s exposure of children to inappropriate content and adult users. Roblox is also facing lawsuits in several US states over child safety concerns.
The new system uses the device’s camera to estimate a user’s age, placing them into age groups ranging from under nine to 21+. Players can only chat with users in similar age ranges unless they add someone as a “trusted connection” — a feature designed for known contacts. Children under 13 will still be restricted from private messaging and certain chats unless parental permission is granted.
Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer, said the age estimation technology is “pretty accurate,” capable of placing users within a one- to two-year range for ages five to 25. Verified images are processed by an external provider and deleted immediately after the check.
Roblox has faced criticism for failing to fully protect young users, with some parents and child safety campaigners warning that children could still encounter risks. Rani Govender, Policy Manager for Child Safety Online at NSPCC, said young people on Roblox are exposed to “unacceptable risks,” leaving them vulnerable to online abuse. She welcomed the platform’s new measures but urged Roblox to ensure real-world implementation that prevents adult predation.
The changes also coincide with Australia’s planned social media ban for under-16s, with pressure to include gaming platforms like Roblox. In the UK, Ofcom, which enforces the Online Safety Act, said it welcomed Roblox’s new age checks as a step toward protecting children from online harm.
Roblox currently averages more than 80 million daily players, with roughly 40% under the age of 13. The company said the new system will offer more “age-appropriate” experiences and expects other firms to adopt similar measures.
The platform has also faced virtual protests, including a campaign by ParentsTogether Action and UltraViolet, which delivered a digital petition signed by over 12,000 people demanding stronger child-safety protections.
