Roblox, a popular online gaming platform, is implementing significant changes aimed at enhancing the safety and security of its younger users, particularly those under the age of 13. In response to public concerns regarding the protection of children on the platform, Roblox is introducing measures to limit access to inappropriate content and strengthen parental controls.
According to The Verge, these adjustments come after various reports highlighted the platform’s challenges in safeguarding its child audience. An email from Roblox to families outlines the upcoming changes, which include enhanced tools for parents to manage their children’s gaming experiences.
Recent scrutiny of Roblox’s safety measures led to notable criticisms, particularly following a report by Bloomberg in July that addressed issues related to predators on the platform. The situation escalated in August when Türkiye temporarily blocked access to Roblox, citing the need to protect minors. In light of this, the company announced plans to establish an office in Türkiye should the ban be lifted.
The new updates will require users under 13 to obtain parental permission to access specific chat features. For those under 9, parental consent will be necessary to play games labeled with “moderate” content, which may include elements of moderate violence or crude humor. These measures aim to elevate parental control over the types of content their children can interact with. Additionally, Roblox is transitioning to a system of content labels to better categorize game content, replacing the current “experience guide” system.
Roblox will also introduce a new account type that allows parents to manage their children’s accounts more effectively. This will enable parents to link their accounts with their child’s, giving them the ability to control settings such as daily usage limits and the child’s friend list. However, some features will remain restricted; for example, parents will not be able to set a PIN for changing account settings or block in-game messaging.
Juliet Chaitin-Lefcourt, a representative from Roblox, stated that these updates reflect the company’s dedication to creating a safe online environment, especially for young children. She mentioned that further information regarding these changes will be communicated next month.
In a detailed email to parents, Roblox outlined the modifications related to parental controls and content labeling. The company stressed that these changes will be rolled out next month, requiring users under 13 to obtain parental consent for accessing certain “medium” content games and chat features.
Amid increasing public and regulatory pressures, Roblox is taking steps to enhance its content management and parental control systems to better protect its young users from potential risks on the platform.
