Roblox is joining the growing ranks of online platforms that are trying to better understand the ages of their teen users. The company is rolling out a new "age estimation" feature for teens 13 and older.
With the update, teens will be prompted for an age check that requires a video selfie in order to access its new less restrictive chat feature called "trusted connections." Roblox is relying on third-party identity company Persona for the actual "estimation," and users who fail the check will also have the option of providing an ID. Once teens have "unlocked" trusted connections via video selfie or sharing an ID, they'll be able to participate in chats with friends "without filters," including "party" group text and voice chats.
Roblox has previously faced scrutiny for not policing its chat features enough and making it too easy for adults to seek out children on the platform. The company notes in its announcement that parents will be able to monitor their kids' "trusted connections" via parental control features, and that the feature is intended only for people who teens already "know and trust." Teens are only able to add trusted connections via their existing contacts list or a QR code.
"We believe chat without filters should only be accessible to users who have verified their age." the company writes in a blog post. "This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about building engaging and appropriate digital spaces for everyone."
While Roblox is notably not using the term "age verification," the new feature comes at a time when there are increasing calls for social media companies and other platforms to check the ages of their youngest users. Reddit and Bluesky recently announced age verification features for users in the UK — a change required of major platforms ahead of a new online safety law going into effect. Age verification mandates have also been gaining steam in the United States.
A number of states have introduced age verification measures for social media, though laws in Arkansas and Utah have so far been blocked. Utah also recently passed a law requiring app stores to verify users' ages — an approach that has been endorsed by companies like Meta and Snap. And the Supreme Court recently upheld a Texas law that requires websites hosting adult to conduct age verification checks.
Roblox, which unlike most online platforms allows children under 13 to have accounts, is in a slightly different position. And for now, it's billing its age checks as "optional." But already having an age estimation feature in place could certainly be useful should it be required to take an even stricter approach in the future.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-is-adding-an-age-estimation-feature-for-teens-110047092.html?src=rss
