Global availability of these new categories is expected to be completed by the end of June.
Account Categories and Age Restrictions
The new account types include:
- Roblox Kids: For ages 5-8.
- Roblox Select: For ages 9-15.
- Roblox: For users 16 years and older.
These categories align with content maturity labels, which distinguish games into Minimal, Mild, Moderate, and Restricted. In United StatesFor example, the Kids category includes younger players, while the Select category is for older teens.
Content Restrictions and Settings
Roblox Kids accounts will have restrictions, with chat disabled by default and access to only Minimal and Mild experiences. Similarly, users in the Select tier will only be able to communicate with peers and friends approved through parental controls, gaining access to Moderate content and games for younger ages.
Commitment to A Safe and Secure Haven and Responsibility
Those who reach the age of 16 will automatically be transferred to a full Roblox account, without access to Restricted content, which will only be available when the user turns 18.
The company says that more than half of its users have already passed age verification, either through ID or facial recognition. Once the global rollout is complete, all unverified users will automatically be placed in the Kids category, denied chat and access to higher-tier content.
Content Management and Creator Support
Roblox uses various technologies, including artificial intelligence, to ensure that user-generated content is appropriate for the appropriate age group. Content creators are required to verify their identity and pay a $5 monthly subscription fee for Roblox Plus. In addition, the AI monitors game sessions to ensure compliance with the appropriate maturity labels. Users over 16 will have preferential access to new games.
New Parental Control Features
Roblox is planning two new parental control features, which will allow parents to block any game and manage chat access until the child turns 16. Parents will be able to approve games outside of the age range, covering cases where, for example, a younger child wants to play with an older brother or sister.
Challenges in Automatic Age Verification
However, there remains a question about the effectiveness of automatic age verification. Reports from Wired suggest that even young children could bypass these checks. Roblox's head of security, Matt Kaufman, assured that there are many options for users to correct errors, as well as continuous monitoring of their behavior compared to age verification data.
Conclusion
These changes demonstrate Roblox’s commitment to providing a safe and personalized experience for every user, with the goal of creating a sustainable environment for all players. By completing the restructuring process and strengthening parental controls, Roblox aims to ensure the appropriate use of its content by all users.
