Roblox will soon require all users to verify their age before they can chat to other users after “concerns” about child safety on the platform.
The system will use facial estimation technology which uses a camera to verify the user’s age. Images are deleted immediately after the check has been completed, say Persona.
Once their age has been verified, Roblox users will then be placed into specific groups (under nine, 9 to 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, 18 to 20 and 21+) and will only be chat to others in a similar category unless they’ve been added as a “trusted connection”. Under 13s will still be blocked from private messages unless a parent gives them permission.
“This initiative is designed to provide even more age-appropriate experiences for all users, which we believe will improve interactions for users of all ages on Roblox,” the company wrote in a statement.
The update will go live in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands this December before a global rollout in early January.
Today, we’re starting to roll out age checks to unlock chat, to help keep Roblox fun and safe for everyone. To learn more, go to https://t.co/YFR8NYawFi pic.twitter.com/qBtKCo92mD
— Roblox (@Roblox) November 18, 2025
“Enforcing age checks allows us to implement age-based chat, which helps users better understand who they’re communicating with and limits chat between minors and adults,” said Roblox.
“Proactive tools like age estimation are key to building a safer and more positive digital world for kids and teens. Roblox’s risk-based approach to features like voice chat sets a strong example of responsible innovation,” added Stephen Balkam, CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute.
However some people are worried potential predators can simply use AI to bypass the safety checks. Earlier this year it was reported Death Stranding 2: On The Beach’s photo mode could be used to trick the UK government’s age verification checks.
so predators can fake their age with ai or trick the system and then be exclusively put in lobbies with mainly children.
i am very concerned for this update https://t.co/mxrHUSbr6D
— Schlep (@RealSchlep) November 18, 2025
Back in August, a top prosecutor from the state of Louisiana took legal action against Roblox over alleged child safety concerns. Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that he has sued Roblox for “flagrantly ignoring” safety laws and “deceiving parents” about the dangers the online platform poses.
“I’m suing Roblox for putting pixel pedophiles and profits over the safety of Texas children,” he wrote on X. “We cannot allow platforms like Roblox to continue operating as digital playgrounds for predators where the well-being of our kids is sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed.”
Responding to the allegations, Roblox told the BBC that it is “disappointed” it is being sued based on “misrepresentations and sensationalised claims”.
Earlier this year, Roblox CEO Dave Baszucki said that if parents were worried about their children’s safety on Roblox, they shouldn’t let them access it. “That sounds a little counter-intuitive, but I would always trust parents to make their own decisions.”
As part of their efforts to make the platform safer, Roblox reportedly forced all users with ‘69’ in their name to rebrand or face a permanent ban.
In other news, the 10-year anniversary tour for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has been extended into 2026 with new UK dates.
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