Roblox, the popular online gaming platform, has announced a significant update aimed at enhancing child safety with the introduction of age-based accounts. These new categories, dubbed Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, will be available for users aged between 5 and 15 starting in June. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns regarding the safety of younger players, particularly following a series of lawsuits alleging that the platform has not adequately protected children from potential dangers.
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According to a press release from the company, the Roblox Kids account will cater specifically to users aged 5 to 8, providing limited access to games that have been designated as featuring “minimal or mild” content. Additionally, the chat feature will be disabled by default to protect younger users, with parents needing to approve chat access through their linked accounts. The colour scheme of the app for these younger players will be bright blue to help distinguish it from accounts intended for older children.
In contrast, the Roblox Select account is aimed at older children between the ages of 9 and 15. This account will allow for a more gradual introduction of chat features, albeit with certain safeguards in place depending on the user’s geographical location. Users on this account will gain access to games classified as “minimal, mild, or moderate” and parents will similarly have access to a suite of controls for their children up until the age of 12. Certain controls and monitoring capabilities will extend up to age 15 as well.
Roblox has reassured parents that both accounts will exclude games that tackle sensitive topics, social hangouts, or free-form drawing experiences. As users grow older, their accounts will be upgraded to the next tier, leading to a full-access standard Roblox account upon reaching 16 years old. At this point, chat functionalities will be enabled by default, although parents will still maintain oversight regarding friends, screen time, and spending until their child turns 18.
The announcement of these new account types occurs amid significant scrutiny of Roblox, which boasts 151.5 million active users daily. Allegations have surfaced claiming that the platform has failed to protect its younger audience adequately, as evidenced by at least seven states filing lawsuits over child safety issues. In an email responding to one such lawsuit in Nebraska, Roblox’s chief safety officer, Matt Kaufman, defended the company’s commitments to user safety, stating that the platform prioritises the well-being of its community and continually strengthens safety measures.
Single cases highlight the potential risks associated with the platform. Recently, Carlo Tritta, a 19-year-old from Eastleigh in the UK, received a prison sentence of 28 months for grooming a 14-year-old girl he met through Roblox. Amid these troubling incidents, there have also been reports of two girls who went missing in Mexico after allegedly being lured from their home via the platform’s chat feature, which has raised alarm among parents and authorities alike.
In a bid to evaluate the safety of Roblox, a Guardian journalist conducted an experiment in November 2025, posing as an eight-year-old child. The journalist reported experiencing cyberbullying and inappropriate behaviour while navigating the platform, amidst the implemented parental controls. This raises questions regarding the effectiveness of current safety measures.
Roblox has indicated that it is working on improving its age verification processes. Currently, they employ facial recognition technology and ID verification for users aged 13 and older. Furthermore, the company aims to transition to an age rating system endorsed by the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), which will provide region-specific content ratings for players worldwide.
The upgrade to parental controls will offer parents the ability to block specific games and adjust direct chat settings until their child turns 15. This expanded suite of controls will also enable them to manage content ratings, monitor chat communications, and set limits on screen time and spending, ensuring greater transparency regarding their child’s gaming activities.
Roblox emphasised that these modifications aim to provide parents with clearer oversight and control over their child’s gaming environment. The company is committed to creating age-appropriate experiences and enhancing safety features to ensure young users can navigate the platform securely.
As Roblox takes these steps to fortify its user experience, it remains crucial for parents to remain vigilant and engaged in their children’s online activities to ensure their safety. The pledge to enhance protections comes at a vital time as the platform continues to grow in popularity among younger demographics.