New rules on Robox: Children can't talk to adults who don't know

Children will no longer be able to talk with unknown adults at Roblox One of the world's most popular game platforms as part of expanding security measures.

Compulsory age check will be introduced to accounts using chat options, starting in December for Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands, and then around the world from January.

Roblox has been criticised for allowing children to enter inappropriate content and communicate with adults, and is currently facing indictments concerning child safety in several US states.

This launch comes shortly before the ban on social networks for sub16-year-olds in Australia, and the government is under pressure to include the Roblox platforms. In March, the chief executive of Robox, Dave Bassuki, told him. BBC-that parents who worry about service “should not leave their children on to”, broadcast the signal.

However, some parents and activists warn that children may still face inappropriate content or communicate with adults on the platform, despite existing security measures.

Rani Govender, policy manager for the safety of children online at the NSPCC, said young people are exposed to non-acceptable “ ” in Roblox, “making many of them vulnerable to damage and online abuse”.

The organisation welcomed the platform's efforts, but called on the “Robox to ensure that the changes are implemented in practice and allow the perpetrators to target and manipulate new users”.

The platform averaged more than 80 million active players a day during 2024, about 40% of whom were under the age of 13. The Law on Online Security in the United Kingdom imposes strict obligations for all technology companies to protect children from online risks.

Communication regulator, Ocom, is responsible for implementing this law.

Anna Lucas, director of online security surveillance in Ofcom, said she was satisfied with new age verification measures.

“Platforms must take steps to keep children safe, and we are making sure they fulfill their responsibilities. There's still work to be done, but the changes are happening”.

In the United States, Robox is facing lawsuits in Texas, Kentucky, and Louisiana over child safety.

Roblox says it will become the first major game platform to make the verification of age through mandatory face for access to chat options.

Matt Kaufman, chief of security at Roblox, said at a conference that age rating technology is “fairly accurate”.

He claimed the system could make rough assessments “within one or two years” for users between the ages of five and 25.

Currently, verification can be used voluntarily by any users in the world. Those who complete the process will be placed in age groups: under nine, 95012, 135015, 165017, 1850 and 21+.

Players will only be able to talk to others within the same age category, unless they add “to the trust”, a function reserved for people they know.

Sub-13-year-olds will continue to have private messages and some conversations blocked, unless the parent gives permission.

The new approach comes after concerns about adult contact with the newest players./Periscopi/