Roblox introduces ‘Kids’ and ‘Select’ accounts for age-appropriate access to games and chat

Roblox is set to launch new account types aimed at ensuring age-appropriate access to games and chat features for children and younger teens. This announcement marks a significant step forward in the company's ongoing commitment to user safety, particularly in the wake of mandatory age verification checks introduced in January for chat access. Under the new system, users who have not completed the age verification process will only have the ability to play a curated selection of games suitable for younger audiences. Specifically, children aged five to nine will be placed in a "Roblox Kids" account, while those aged nine to 15 will fall under the "Roblox Select" category. Users aged 16 and older will retain access to standard Roblox accounts, although access to "Restricted Content," which includes mature themes like strong violence and explicit language, will be limited to those 18 and up. The rollout of these new accounts is scheduled to begin globally in early June. Roblox has announced that existing users will undergo a transition period allowing them to complete the age-check process. For users with Roblox Kids accounts, access will be limited to games rated as "Minimal" or "Mild," which can include mild violence, light humor, and slight fear elements. Moreover, chat functions will be disabled by default for children under nine, with parents having the ability to permit communication with selected individuals. The Roblox Select accounts will allow users to engage in games rated up to "Moderate" and enable chatting with peers in a similar age demographic. Parents will also have the option to approve specific games that their children may wish to access, even those outside the standard restrictions of their accounts. Both account types will feature only games that have successfully passed Roblox's rigorous three-step screening process. This process starts with developer verification, requiring developers under 16 to complete ID checks or maintain a connection to a parent account. Additionally, two-step verification must be enabled, and an active Roblox Plus subscription is required. Following developer verification, games will undergo real-time evaluations by players aged 16 and over, who will provide feedback on the gaming experience before it's opened up to younger audiences. Furthermore, Roblox plans to employ a multimodal moderation system to ensure compliance with its content standards and verify that games meet the necessary gameplay criteria for younger users. These recent changes come in response to a series of lawsuits, including actions from the attorneys general of Louisiana and Texas, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding child safety on the platform. Reports indicated that Roblox was exposing young players to significant risks, including grooming and inappropriate content, prompting the company to take these precautionary measures.