Roblox has started implementing age verification through facial age estimation technology

Roblox Image credit: Roblox

Roblox is gradually introducing age verification on its platform, a measure that will become compulsory worldwide in early 2024, aimed at "restricting interactions between minors and adults."

The age verification process will be facilitated via the Roblox app using facial age determination technology provided by Persona, with the company assuring that any media will be "deleted immediately after processing."

Though currently optional, users won't be able to utilize certain functionalities like chat if they have not completed the age verification process.

After verification, users are categorized into age-specific chat groups, which are as follows:

Under nine
Nine to 12
13 to 15
16 to 17
18 to 20
21+

Users will be able to communicate with peers in their corresponding age group and closely related categories.

Starting the first week of December, age verification will be obligatory in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, with plans to extend this requirement globally by early January next year.

Roblox stated that this phase of implementation will also necessitate age verification to access social media links on profiles, community sections, and experience detail pages.

"Implementing these new standards will assist us in offering safe and age-appropriate interactions for all Roblox users," the company expressed. "We encourage others in the industry to adopt our extensive strategies to make the online environment safer for children and teenagers."

Over the past year, Roblox has been enhancing its safety measures. Recently, it introduced a "sensitive issues" content descriptor for its experiences feature.

In November 2024, the platform enforced new safeguards preventing users under 13 from accessing direct messaging, and restricting their communication options within games and experiences. More details can be found here.