Roblox, the hugely popular gaming and social platform worldwide, has just announced a new policy that will affect all its players. Starting later this year, any user wishing to access Roblox's communication features, such as text and voice chat, will be required to go through an age verification process . This measure is intended to increase safety, especially for children and teens, and to limit inappropriate interactions between adults and minors.
This policy is part of Roblox's broader effort to create a safe, friendly, and age-appropriate gaming environment for all its users.
Why Did Roblox Make This Change?
Roblox has millions of daily active players, a large proportion of whom are children and teenagers. In recent years, the platform has faced criticism and even lawsuits regarding the safety of young users, particularly due to inappropriate interactions between adults and children, age-inappropriate content that escapes moderation, and the lack of parental controls on communication features.
Through the new policies implemented, Roblox hopes to prevent direct communication between adults and children who do not know each other in the real world, filter access to certain features based on verified ages, and provide peace of mind for parents that their children are playing in a safer environment.
How Will the Age Verification Process Work?
Roblox will use facial-based age estimation technology , official ID verification , and parental consent for underage players. The process includes:
- Selfie or face photo : The system will estimate the player's age using age recognition technology.
- Upload identity documents : Such as KTP, SIM, or passport to ensure accurate data.
- Parental consent : For players under 18, a parent or guardian must provide permission.
This method is considered more accurate than simply relying on the birth date entered when creating an account. "We're taking this step as part of our long-term vision as a platform for all ages. We hope this sets a standard that other gaming, social media, and communication platforms will follow," said Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman.
Affected Communication Features
This policy applies to all communication features on Roblox, including:
- Public text chat in the game.
- Private chat between users.
- Voice chat.
- Another social feature that allows direct interaction.
For players who do not verify their age, access to these features will be limited or even disabled.
Other Strengthened Security Measures
In addition to age verification, Roblox also announced several additional measures:
- Trusted Connections : A system that only allows communication between users who already know each other in the real world.
- Roblox Sentinel : An open-source AI to detect early signs of potential harm to children.
- Server monitoring : Identifying and shutting down servers that violate the rules even if the game appears “safe”.
- Chat filter enhancements : Block inappropriate words or content.
- Content restrictions : Increased the age limit for certain experiences from 17+ to 18+.
Cooperation with International Rating Agencies
Roblox has also partnered with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) to provide clearer and more culturally appropriate content ratings.
This means that experiences (games) on Roblox will have official rating labels such as:
- ESRB (United States)
- PEGI (Europe & UK)
- GRAC (South Korea)
This way, parents can more easily choose games that are suitable for their children.
Impact on Players
This policy will have different impacts on each group of players:
1. Child Players (<13 years)
- Cannot access private chat or voice chat except with verified friends.
- Can only play games that are age-appropriate.
2. Teenage Players (13–17 years)
- Can access more communication features after age verification.
- There are still restrictions on adult content.
3. Adult Players (18+)
- Must verify age to access all communication features.
- Cannot contact underage players unless already connected in the real world.
Challenges and Criticism
While this policy is well-intentioned, there are some challenges it may face:
- Data privacy : Some users are concerned about their identity data and facial photos being misused.
- Accessibility : Not all players have official identity documents.
- Complicated verification process : Can make some players reluctant to continue.
However, Roblox emphasizes that all data will be processed securely and in accordance with applicable privacy regulations.
Global Trends in Age Verification in the Digital World
Roblox's move is in line with a global trend where many platforms are starting to implement age verification to protect children.
For example:
- Utah, USA : Age verification is required to access the app store.
- Mississippi, USA : Implemented similar rules for social media.
Despite the debate over privacy, many see age verification as an important step for online safety.
Conclusion
Roblox's new policy of tightening age verification is a major step toward creating a safer gaming environment. Combining advanced technology, partnerships with international ratings agencies, and restrictions on communication between adults and children, Roblox hopes to set an example for other platforms.
For players, especially children and teens, this means a more secure gaming experience. For parents, it provides a sense of security that their children are in a more controlled digital space.
However, the success of this policy will depend heavily on how Roblox keeps user data secure and ensures the verification process runs smoothly.
