Roblox Introduces Mandatory Age Verification to Strengthen Child Safety

Roblox has announced a major update to its safety policies by rolling out mandatory age verification for users who want to access chat and communication features. The move follows growing legal pressure, public scrutiny, and concerns from parents and regulators about child safety on the platform. While age verification is not required to play Roblox games, it is now essential for users who wish to communicate with others.

Why Roblox Is Enforcing Age Verification

The decision comes after a series of lawsuits and investigations that accused Roblox of exposing young users to risks such as grooming, inappropriate conversations, and explicit content. Attorneys general in multiple U.S. states have argued that Roblox’s existing safeguards were insufficient to protect minors. In response, the company has introduced stronger verification methods aimed at ensuring users interact with others in appropriate age ranges.

How Facial Age Verification Works

To complete facial age verification, users must open the Roblox app, grant camera access, and follow on-screen instructions. The system analyzes facial features to estimate age rather than identify the individual. Roblox states that all images and videos captured during this process are deleted shortly after verification is complete.

The facial verification process is handled by a third-party provider, Persona, which also deletes all data once the age check is finalized. Roblox has emphasized that it does not store biometric data, positioning the system as a privacy-conscious solution focused solely on age estimation.

ID Verification as an Alternative Option

Users aged 13 and older can choose to verify their age using government-issued identification instead of facial verification. This option provides flexibility for those who are uncomfortable with biometric scanning or prefer a more traditional method. The ID verification process is also handled securely and is designed to confirm age without exposing unnecessary personal details.

Chat Access Now Requires Age Verification

Although age checks are optional for general gameplay, they are mandatory for accessing chat features. Users who do not verify their age can still play games but will be unable to communicate with others through text or voice chat. Roblox argues that this approach balances accessibility with safety, ensuring communication tools are limited to verified users.

Appeals and Parental Controls for Incorrect Age Estimates

Roblox acknowledges that automated age estimation may occasionally be inaccurate. In such cases, users can appeal the decision and reverify their age using alternative methods, including ID verification or parental confirmation. Parents also retain the ability to manage and update their child’s age through Roblox’s parental control settings.

The platform has stated that it continuously evaluates user behavior and may prompt users to repeat the age-check process if activity suggests a significant mismatch between estimated and actual age.

Age-Based Chat Groups Explained

Once verified, users are placed into age-based chat groups to limit interactions between vastly different age ranges. Roblox has divided users into six categories: under 9, 9 to 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, 18 to 20, and 21 and older. Users can communicate with others in their own age group as well as adjacent groups, helping maintain social interaction while reducing safety risks.

Special Restrictions for Younger Children

For children under the age of 9, chat features remain disabled by default. Parents must provide explicit consent following an age check before communication features are enabled. This policy reflects Roblox’s focus on minimizing social exposure for its youngest users while keeping parents actively involved.

A Response to Legal and Regulatory Pressure

The introduction of mandatory age checks is part of Roblox’s broader effort to address legal challenges and demonstrate a stronger commitment to child safety. State-level lawsuits have criticized the platform for failing to prevent harmful interactions, and Roblox hopes these new measures will satisfy regulators while rebuilding trust with families.

Moving Beyond Self-Reported Birthdates

Previously, Roblox relied heavily on self-reported birth years during account creation, a method widely viewed as unreliable. The new verification system introduces a multi-layered approach that combines facial analysis, ID verification, parental oversight, and behavioral monitoring. According to Roblox, this strategy offers a more accurate and responsible way to manage age-based access on the platform.