Roblox, the popular gaming platform aimed at preteens, has announced significant safety updates to better protect its young users. Beginning in 2025, users under the age of 13 will be restricted from accessing unrated experiences, social hangouts, and games with free-form 2D user creation. This decision is part of Roblox’s ongoing effort to address concerns about online safety, particularly the risks of grooming, explicit content, and inappropriate interactions in online communities. These experiences, which often include chatting and creative elements that are not fully moderated, have raised alarms among parents and safety advocates.
To enforce these measures, Roblox will require creators to complete a questionnaire to determine whether their games are suitable for younger users. Creators must ensure their experiences are rated “All Ages” or “9+” to remain available to players under 13, with some exceptions for mild content like unrealistic blood or crude humor. Gambling content, however, will be strictly prohibited for this age group. Roblox has made it clear that these changes will begin next year, with the questionnaire process starting in December 2024 for creators who want to make their experiences accessible to children under 13.
In addition to restricting access to certain types of content, Roblox will also prevent younger users from participating in social hangouts, a move likely prompted by ongoing concerns about inappropriate behavior in these spaces. Social hangouts have long been criticized for the lack of oversight, with users potentially exposed to harmful interactions. By limiting access to these spaces, Roblox hopes to create a safer environment for its youngest players. Creators of social hangouts will need to adjust their content to meet new safety standards, ensuring that it is appropriate for younger audiences.
Roblox has also implemented other safety features to protect its youngest users. In a bid to further enhance safety, the platform now requires parental consent for certain chat functionalities for children under 13, as well as parental approval for experiences marked with moderate content. Additionally, Roblox is testing an age-verification feature for users over 13 to verify their identity with a government-issued photo ID. These updates reflect Roblox’s commitment to making the platform safer while still offering creative and engaging experiences for children.
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