Roblox has introduced a facial age verification system for users who want to access chat features, marking a notable step in online safety for gaming platforms. The company is positioning this change as a way to ensure age-appropriate interactions while limiting communication between minors and adults. The rollout began with a voluntary period in November 2025, with full enforcement scheduled to start in select regions, including Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, in early December, and a global rollout planned for January 2026.
How Facial Age Estimation Works on Roblox
Users can verify their age through Facial Age Estimation or ID verification within the Roblox app. The process uses a device camera and is handled by the external vendor Persona. Roblox emphasizes that all images and video are deleted immediately after processing to maintain user privacy. While the verification is optional, chat features will remain inaccessible until the check is completed. This system allows the platform to categorize users into age groups and ensure that interactions remain appropriate for each group.
Parents continue to have control over linked accounts, including the ability to update their child’s birthdate after verification. Experts have noted that this method provides privacy-conscious age assurance, balancing safety measures for younger players with respect for user rights.
Age-Based Chat to Improve Communication Safety
Once users complete the age verification process, Roblox assigns them to one of several age groups ranging from under 9 to 21 and older. The platform then restricts chat interactions based on these groups, allowing users to communicate primarily with peers or individuals in similar age ranges. For example, a 12-year-old user can only chat with users aged 15 or younger, while an 18-year-old can interact with those 16 and older. Users verified as 13 or older can also create Trusted Connections, which allow communication with family or friends across age groups.
For the youngest players, chat is default-off for users under nine unless a parent provides consent following verification. Users under 13 face additional restrictions for communication outside of in-game experiences, helping to reduce potential exposure to inappropriate content or contact.
Expanding Safety Beyond Chat
Roblox plans to extend age verification requirements to social media links on user profiles, communities, and experience pages in early 2026. This update will reinforce current restrictions on users self-declaring as 13 or older and limit exposure to external platforms. The company continues to monitor chat interactions with AI tools, enforce strict content filters, and prohibit image or video sharing in chat. Users can also block or report others for violations, and parents have access to tools for monitoring their child’s connections and activity.
Age Verification for Creator Collaboration
The facial age verification system will also apply to Roblox Studio’s Team Create feature. This ensures that users collaborating on projects are in similar age groups, which aligns with the platform’s broader strategy of providing safe, age-appropriate experiences across both gameplay and creator tools. The new rules build on over 145 safety features launched by Roblox since January 2025 and reflect a risk-based approach to digital safety for mixed-age audiences.
Setting a New Safety Benchmark
Roblox is positioning this initiative as a potential industry standard for online gaming safety. By combining age verification, chat restrictions, and parental controls, the platform aims to create a safer environment for minors while maintaining open communication for older users. Roblox encourages other gaming and social platforms to adopt similar approaches to online safety, helping to reduce risks for children and teens across the web3 ecosystem.
Source: Matt Kaufman, Chief Safety Officer and Rajiv Bhatia, Vice President, Product (Roblox)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Roblox Facial Age Estimation?
Facial Age Estimation is a verification process that uses a device camera to estimate a user’s age. The process is handled by an external vendor, and images or video are deleted immediately after processing to maintain privacy.
Is age verification mandatory to use Roblox chat?
Yes. While there is a voluntary period initially, users must complete the age verification process to access chat features once enforcement begins.
How does Roblox limit communication between minors and adults?
After verification, users are assigned to age groups. Chat is restricted so that minors cannot interact with significantly older users, except through Trusted Connections for known family or friends.
Can parents manage their child’s chat access?
Yes. Parents can use Parental Controls to adjust settings, including updating birthdates, managing chat permissions, and monitoring interactions.
Will age verification apply to Roblox Studio collaboration tools?
Yes. Team Create in Roblox Studio will require age verification to ensure collaborators are within similar age groups, maintaining safety across creative tools.
How does Roblox protect user privacy during age checks?
All images and videos used for age verification are deleted immediately after processing, and the system is designed to be secure and privacy-conscious.
When will the age verification requirement expand globally?
The requirement begins in select markets in early December 2025 and will expand worldwide wherever chat is available in early January 2026.
