Roblox will introduce age-based accounts for young users starting in early June, the company announced Monday. The platform will assign users aged 5 to 8 to "Roblox Kids" accounts and users aged 9 to 15 to "Roblox Select" accounts. The move comes as Roblox faces intense global scrutiny over child safety concerns, including lawsuits alleging failures to protect minors from predators and inappropriate content.
Core Facts & Immediate Action
Roblox will roll out the new accounts in early June, with "Roblox Kids" accounts featuring disabled chat by default and access only to games with "minimal" or "mild" content maturity. "Roblox Select" accounts will gradually introduce chat functions and allow access to games with "moderate" content maturity. The accounts will be assigned based on age verification, which includes biometric checks and parental verification.
Deeper Dive & Context
Safety Measures and Legal Pressures
Roblox has faced mounting legal challenges, with at least seven U.S. states suing the company over child safety concerns. The platform is also involved in multidistrict litigation in California, representing families alleging grooming, sexual assault, and suicide linked to interactions on Roblox. The new age-based accounts build on earlier safety updates, including a facial age-check system introduced earlier this year.
Content and Chat Restrictions
Games appearing in "Roblox Kids" accounts will undergo a "rigorous three-step review process," including creator verification and strict eligibility requirements. The chat feature will be disabled by default for "Kids" accounts but gradually enabled for "Select" accounts based on age. Developers must verify their identities, enable two-step verification, and maintain an active Roblox Plus subscription to have their content featured.
User and Industry Reactions
The age verification system has faced criticism, with users reporting inaccurate age estimations and workarounds. Despite these challenges, Roblox remains committed to enhancing safety measures amid ongoing legal and regulatory scrutiny. The company will also launch a subscription plan, Roblox Plus, on April 30, offering discounts on in-game items and platform benefits for $4.99 per month.