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Here’s how Roblox’s age checks work

Roblox has implemented mandatory facial verification for age checks, with 45% of daily active users complying as of January 31. This move comes amid lawsuits addressing child safety on the platform. After verification, users access age-based chats linked to their age group. Roblox aims to boost safety while leveraging data from age checks to tap into the growing 18+ user demographic and revenue opportunities.

Key points

  • Roblox introduced mandatory facial verification for age checks due to lawsuits regarding child safety.
  • As of January 31, 45% of daily users have completed age checks, with 35% being under 13.
  • Users undergo age checks through the app, allowing camera access and following on-screen instructions.
  • Post-verification, users access chat features limited to their age group.
  • Roblox deletes images post-verification, with checks managed by third-party Persona.

Why it matters

  • Roblox's age checks are in response to increased scrutiny on child safety in online gaming.
  • Similar trends are visible in the gaming industry focusing on user safety and content regulation.
  • The rise of the 18+ user demographic aligns with broader trends in gaming emphasizing monetization and mature content.

Roblox's proactive approach to age verification highlights the balancing act between user safety and platform growth, reflecting ongoing industry trends toward more stringent safety measures and revenue optimization.