ROBLOX Introduces Facial Age Estimation and Chat Restrictions for Kids

ROBLOX, the popular online gaming platform, has introduced a new facial age estimation system aimed at limiting access to player-to-player chat based on the user’s age. This move is designed to enhance the safety of younger players by ensuring they interact only with others in their age group.

Although ROBLOX is not classified as a social media platform and isn’t bound by the upcoming social media minimum age laws, the company has been working closely with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner to comply with the Online Safety Act. The act requires platforms to take significant measures to protect children online.

The new age verification process uses a device’s camera to perform a facial scan, similar to the face unlock feature on smartphones. This scan is then used to estimate the user’s age. Once the scan is completed, all data, including photos and videos, is immediately deleted, and the estimated age is presented to the user.

Based on this age estimation, ROBLOX will limit users’ ability to chat with others outside their designated age group, which ranges from 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, and 21+. However, there are exceptions for families or siblings. They can communicate across different age groups, but only if their relationship is verified through a QR code or by confirming that each user has saved the other’s mobile number in their contact list.