This is a continuation of the work Roblox began earlier this year, becoming the first online gaming platform to require facial age checks to access chat. Since then, over 50% of global and 65% of U.S. daily active users have completed an age check.
This update will bring age-checks, account-level defaults, content ratings, ongoing moderation, and expanded parental controls together into a unified framework for younger users. Based on Roblox’s selection criteria, the company believes age-checked users under 16 will have access to the vast majority of their favorite games at launch. Age-checked users 16 and older will not see any change to their Roblox experience.
The age-based account system will automatically assign users ages 5 to 8 (as determined through Roblox’s global age-check technology or by a verified parent) to a Roblox Kids account. These accounts will be matched to a dynamically updated catalog containing thousands of select games.
For Roblox Kids accounts:
● Access will be limited to games with a Minimal or Mild content maturity label that have passed their three-step selection process (detailed below).
● All communication is disabled by default.
● The design will include a distinct background color across the app experience to indicate account type.
Roblox Select accounts are for users ages 9 to 15, as determined through Roblox’s universal age-check system or by a verified parent. These accounts will be matched to a dynamically updated catalog containing thousands of select games.
For Roblox Select accounts:
● Access will be limited to games with content maturity labels up to and including
● Moderate that have passed their three-step selection process (detailed below).
● Default communications settings remain unchanged for ages 9-15.
● The design will include a distinct visual treatment to indicate account type.
Roblox’s global age-based account system will automatically progress users as they age.
● Users will automatically transition from Roblox Kids to Roblox Select accounts when they reach age 9.
● Users will automatically transition from Roblox Select to standard Roblox accounts when they reach age 16.
Users who haven’t yet completed an age-check will be limited to games rated Minimal or Mild, and all communication will be unavailable. After completing an age-check, users will automatically move into the appropriate age-based account.
As always, all content uploaded to Roblox goes through their existing moderation systems, including AI asset scanning, ongoing user report review, and multimodal moderation that evaluates scenes in real time for potential policy violations.
For content made available to users under 16, they will apply an additional continuous process that dynamically selects games. This process will include developer verification, extended content evaluation and rating, and additional limits on content more suited to older audiences.
Content will be automatically included in Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts once games are evaluated using additional criteria that include:
- Developer Verification: Creators must complete ID verification, enable two-step verification, and maintain an active Roblox Plus subscription.
- Real-Time Evaluation: Roblox will analyze how users age 16 and older interact with new games and monitor user reports to assess suitability for younger users.
- Content Maturity Rating and Default Exclusions: Roblox will assign an appropriate content maturity label (Minimal, Mild, or Moderate) for each game. By default, Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts will not include games that feature sensitive issues, social hangouts, or free-form drawing games.
Later this year, Roblox will start transitioning to the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) framework, the globally recognized standard method for assigning content ratings for digital games and apps. These clear, region-specific ratings, such as ESRB in the U.S. and PEGI in much of Europe and the U.K., reflect local cultural norms and will help families identify age-appropriate content.
Roblox is also extending their parental controls, which allow parents to manage content ratings, communications settings, and screen-time and spending limits. These tools also transparently show parents which games their child is spending their time in and who their friends are. Under this update, parents will gain one new control and retain access to certain controls until a child turns 16.
● Extending Granular Game Blocking: Parents can block specific individual games through age 15.
● Extending Chat Management: Parents can manage direct chat settings through age 15.
● New Granular Game Approval: Parents can now approve access to specific games that are not otherwise available under the child’s default account type.
This structure is designed to give parents more precise control over the games and friends their child interacts with. Together, these updates are part of the company’s ongoing work to build age-appropriate experiences for all users, apply safety-by-default protections for younger users, and give parents more visibility and control over how their children use Roblox.
Larry Magid, ConnectSafely CEO, complimented Roblox’s updates by sharing that by combining age assurance, stronger creator accountability, and parental controls, Roblox is helping set a higher standard for how platforms can better protect younger users while preserving positive online experiences.
Matt Kaufman, Chief Safety Officer at Roblox said that with launch of Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, we are fundamentally shifting how games are discovered on our platform. Safety isn't a static feature – it’s a journey that evolves as a child grows. He added that while no system is perfect, these age-adaptive accounts are designed to help remove the guesswork for parents and help align users' experiences with their age.
As part of Roblox’s work to become the world’s healthiest platform for users of all ages, they continually invest in safety by design and empower creativity through technology innovation.
The products are thoughtfully designed to cultivate creation, connection, and collaborative play, rather than passive consumption.
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