Roblox will require age verification to limit interactions between minors and adults. The move is an attempt to prevent adults from communicating with children, after many cases of child grooming and explicit content requests. Tens of lawsuits from multiple states are looming over one of the most popular online gaming platforms. The age verifications process started on Nov 18th and is voluntary. However, the new safety guards will become a norm in the first week of December as they will be rolled out in New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands. The new age-verification is expected to launch globally, that includes here in the USA, in January 2026.
Key takeaways
- Roblox wants to stop adult strangers from talking to minors. They aim to do this by implementing an AI-powered age verification process that requires biometric or government ID. While it is currently voluntary, it will be the norm worldwide by the end of January 2026.
- Online players who want to use the platform’s communication features must provide facial scans and a government ID.
- Roblox will almost entirely block cross-age messaging by separating kids and adults into six age groups.
- Roblox will monitor chats for inappropriate content and vows not to store facial or government IDs on its servers.
Do Roblox stops strangers from communicating with kids?
Roblox has faced a lot of criticism over the years but with the new age-verification tools they make an attempt to prevent adult strangers from connecting with minors. A lot is at stake as Roblox has tens of millions of under 13 daily users globally, who use the online gaming platform to play games. The gaming platforms intends to be a leader in upholding safety principles and is one of the first companies to implement biometric and government id age verification.
The company also faces tens of lawsuits and plenty of government and parent criticism for having a somehow loose safety standards. Roblox is truly planning to turn things around by even even implementing restrictions on media sharing possibilities between players. This is in an attempt to stop adults from abducting minors or convincing victims to take questionable photos of siblings.
Would Roblox require face scans or government ID?
Yes, Roblox will use AI to determine the age of players and if necessary, might require the user to upload a copy of government-issued ID. After the verification is completed, Roblox promises not to create face and government ID databases, but to delete the biometric info and sensitive details immediately. The verification will be processed through a third-party identity company called Persona, who also promises to not store any of the sensitive information that will be going through its servers. Roblox expects such face scan type of verifications to become an industry standard. Other companies, such as Twitch, are also experimenting with similar tools. The video live-streaming company just launched a similar face-scan age-verification tool in the United Kingdom.
Does everyone need to provide facial scans or a government ID?
No, the biometric facial scans and government ID checks will not be mandatory for Roblox users. However, the gaming platform has stated that users who do not pass an age-verification check. These users won’t have access to communication features within the gaming ecosystem. That incudes chat between players.
What are the age groups for Roblox chat groups?
Roblox has approximately 380 million monthly users and over 85 million daily users. With the new age checks, the company will separate all players who want to communicate with each other. They will be divided into six distinct groups. The groups will consist of under 9, 9 to 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, 18 to 20, and 21+. The platform will block communication between people from different age groups unless players form Trusted Connections with people they know. For kids, such connections will require an explicit approval from the parents/guardian of the minor.
Does Roblox encrypt chat conversations?
Chat conversations are not private and encrypted. Chat rooms and conversations will be monitored by AI-tools. They will be flagged if the AI agents determine that discussions between players are inappropriate.
Roblox players are welcome to use antivirus software on all connected devices. Roblox is available on smartphones, PCs/Macs, and has more than 90 million monthly users just from North America. More than one third of them are under the age of 13. While kids are having so much fun, antivirus software solutions often come with parental controls and additional safeguards. These can help children of all ages, and even adults, stay safe while browsing or playing games online.