Roblox is again expanding its safety protocols for younger users with the launch of “Kids” accounts for those ages 5-8 and “Select” accounts for the 9-15 age range.
The new age-locked tiers will launch in June and utilize the facial-estimation, age-check technology that Roblox began rolling out last year amid multiple lawsuits and complaints about child safety on the popular gaming platform.
Roblox says that an account will now progress with the users age and automatically shift from the “Kids” to “Select” to a standard Roblox account over time.
“We’re introducing two new age-based accounts for younger users on Roblox: Roblox Kids for users ages 5 to 8 and Roblox Select for users ages 9 to 15,” Roblox founder and CEO David Baszucki, Founder and CEO said in a blog post published Monday announcing the changes. “When they roll out in early June, these accounts will more closely align content access, communication settings, and parental controls with a user’s age.”
Baszucki said Roblox is also establishing a new selection process for games that are available to users under 16.
“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,” Baszucki said. “Based on our selection criteria, we believe age-checked users under 16 will have access to the vast majority of their favorite games. Age-checked users 16 and older will not see any change to their Roblox experience.”
According to Roblox, users haven’t already completed the platform’s previously launched age-check tool will only be able to access games rated “Minimal or Mild,” and all communication features will be unavailable. Once the age-check has been completed, users will then be sorted into the corresponding age-based account.
Here is how the three tiers of age-based accounts are differentiated, per Roblox:
Roblox Kids Accounts (Ages 5–8)
Our age-based account system will automatically assign users ages 5 to 8 (as determined through our 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 our 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 (Ages 9–15)
Roblox Select accounts are for users ages 9 to 15, as determined through our 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 our three-step selection process (detailed below).
● Default communications settings will remain unchanged for ages 9-15.
● The design will include a distinct visual treatment to indicate account type.
Account Progression
Our 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.
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