Roblox Launches ‘Kids’ and ‘Select’ Accounts for Safety
access, requiring mandatory age verification for all users by June.
TAGS: Roblox, Gaming Safety, Tech News, Child Protection, Online Gaming
CONTEUDO:
Roblox is overhauling its user experience with the introduction of new account tiers, aiming to restrict access to chat features and game content based on age. Starting this June, the platform will implement these changes globally, leveraging the same age-verification technology introduced in January to categorize its massive user base.
New Account Tiers and Restrictions
The system classifies users into distinct groups based on their age:
- Roblox Kids: For users aged five to nine. Access is limited to games with “Minimal” or “Mild” ratings. Chat is disabled by default, requiring specific parent-approved contacts for communication.
- Roblox Select: For users aged nine to 15. This tier permits access to games rated up to “Moderate” and allows interaction with peers in the same age bracket.
- Standard Accounts: For users aged 16 and older.
Users who have not completed the mandatory age-verification process will be restricted to a curated selection of games designed for younger audiences. Furthermore, access to “Restricted Content”—which includes themes of strong violence, romance, or coarse language—is strictly reserved for users 18 and older.
Developer Requirements and Screening
To ensure content safety, games available to younger users must pass a three-step vetting process. Developers must first undergo verification, which includes ID checks for those under 16 or those linked to a parent account, two-step verification, and an active Roblox Plus subscription. Following the launch of the $4.99/month Roblox Plus, the existing Roblox Premium tier will stop accepting new sign-ups as of April 30.
Once verified, games undergo real-time evaluation by users aged 16 and older, alongside Roblox’s multimodal moderation system, to ensure they align with maturity labels and safety standards. Parents retain the ability to override these settings on an individual basis, allowing children to access specific games if deemed appropriate by the guardian.
Context of Regulatory Pressure
These updates arrive amid significant legal challenges for the company. Roblox has faced a wave of lawsuits from entities including the attorneys general of Louisiana and Texas. These legal actions were initiated following reports and investigations highlighting risks to young users, such as exposure to explicit content and grooming.