Roblox plans to launch its most significant update since introducing age verification last year. That earlier initiative targeted chat features, but the current development involves dividing the platform's games by age groups.
From mid-May onward, participants will be assigned to one of three sections: Roblox Kids, Roblox Select, or the standard Roblox. Age boundaries differ by region, though in the United States, they include 5-8 years for Kids, 9-15 for Select, and 16 and older for regular access. These categories correspond to the existing content ratings, categorized as Minimal, Mild, Moderate, and Restricted.
Accounts for the youngest group, Kids, impose the strictest limits, disabling chat by default and restricting access to only Minimal and Mild rated experiences.
For users aged 9 to 15, communication is permitted with peers in the same age range and verified trusted contacts who have undergone parental approval. This tier also allows entry to Moderate-rated games alongside those designed for younger children.
Upon reaching 16, individuals transition to a complete Roblox account with unrestricted features, though access to Restricted content remains locked until age 18.
The company reports that more than 50 percent of its audience has undergone age confirmation, either via identification documents or facial recognition. As the new account system expands worldwide, expected to conclude by June, those without verification will default to a restricted setup similar to Kids, barring chat and content beyond Mild ratings.
Even after age checks, Roblox must guarantee that its extensive library of community-generated experiences suits appropriate ages. The platform addresses this through identity checks, artificial intelligence, and additional fees.
Creators are required to confirm their identities and subscribe to Roblox Plus for $5 monthly to demonstrate ongoing dedication. Officials believe these steps encourage accurate rating assignments for games. Should a title receive an incorrect designation, the system's AI will oversee gameplay and interactions to verify alignment with the stated rating. This approach may allow brief exposure for very young users to misrated advanced content before detection. However, Roblox notes that individuals over 16 typically explore new releases ahead of others, a pattern intended to safeguard younger players.
Additionally, Roblox announced two upcoming parental oversight tools set for June. Parents can now prohibit specific experiences and control private messaging until their child reaches 16, overriding the prior allowance for those 13 and above to enable content independently. Parents may also grant exceptions for games outside the assigned age group individually, such as permitting a younger sibling to join an older one's preferred title.
A key concern remains the reliability of automated age assessment methods. A January Wired investigation indicated that even young children could circumvent the safeguards, potentially weakening the overall strategy. In discussions with media prior to the reveal, Roblox's Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman acknowledged, 'If we get it wrong … we offer users multiple ways to correct that.' He further explained that the service monitors user actions against verified age information, prompting re-verification if discrepancies arise.