ROBLOX is now beginning to launch a mandatory age-check scheme for all users around the world.
If players of the hit game don’t comply, they’ll be blocked from key features until they verify their age.
The tough new rules are meant to protect children from being exposed to unsafe conversations and potential predators.
Roblox‘s new checks will group players into age brackets, which will limit who they can talk to online.
If a player doesn’t verify their age, they’ll be unable to chat with other gamers.
“Our commitment to safety is rooted in delivering the highest level of protection for our users,” said Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s safety chief.
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“By building proactive, age-based barriers, we can empower users to create and connect in ways that are both safe and appropriate.”
The checks will become mandatory in the US today, and then roll out globally “over the next week”.
It will make Roblox the first large online gaming platform to require age checks for chatting across the entire playerbase.
Roblox is one of the most popular video games in the world, with more than 380 million players logging on each month.
HOW THE AGE CHECKS WORK
To conduct the age checks, Roblox has teamed up with a well-known third-party company called Persona.
Players will go through Persona’s Facial Age Estimation process, which uses your smartphone camera to capture images and videos.
It’ll authenticate your age bracket, and then immediately delete the images that were captured.
If you’re aged 13 or over, you’ll also be able to very your age using ID.
The age-checks themselves are optional, but mandatory if you want to access chatting features.
“Proactive tools like age estimation are key to building a safer and more positive digital world for kids and teens,” said Stephen Balkam, chief of the Family Online Safety Institute.
“Roblox’s risk-based approach to features like voice chat sets a strong example of responsible innovation.”
There are six age brackets, as follows:
- Under 9
- 9 – 12
- 13 – 15
- 16 – 17
- 18 – 20
- 21+
You’ll be able to chat with users in groups directly above or below the one you were placed in.
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But if you’re in the under 9 group, chat will be turned off by default unless a parent provides consent after an age check.
If you think you’ve been placed in the wrong age bracket, you’ll be able to appeal via Roblox customer support.
That will let you use alternative systems, including a parental verification process.
Roblox will also “constantly evaluate” user behaviour to determine if someone is “significantly older or younger than expected”.
If Roblox thinks something is amiss, it’ll ask users to repeat the age-check process.
“Robust and highly effective age assurance technology plays a critical role in maintaining the safety of child users online,” a National Crime Agency spokesperson said.
“Helping to protect them from harmful and illegal content and high-risk interactions.
“Whilst they develop age-appropriate literacy skills.”
