Roblox looks to make itself safer for under-13 users with new age limits – In response to mounting concerns over child safety, Roblox is introducing new measures to make its platform safer for users under 13 years of age. Following criticism about the exposure of younger users to inappropriate content, the company has outlined several new steps aimed at protecting children and ensuring a safer online environment. These changes come as part of Roblox’s ongoing efforts to address safety challenges on its platform, which is widely popular among young audiences.
As of December 3, 2024, all game creators on Roblox will be required to self-declare which of their “experiences” are suitable for children under 13. If creators do not provide an age rating for their games, those titles will be filtered out of search results and recommendations for younger users. This is a significant step towards improving the safety and appropriateness of content on the platform for its youngest audience.
Key Changes Coming to Roblox for Under-13 Users
- Self-Declaration of Age-Appropriate Content By December 2024, all Roblox creators will be required to indicate whether their games are suitable for under-13 users. This will help Roblox better curate and filter the content that children under 13 see when browsing games or experiences. Games without an age rating will no longer appear in the search results or be recommended to younger users. The goal is to limit exposure to content that may not be appropriate for children.
- Enforcing Age-Appropriate Content Details Roblox has also introduced guidelines to ensure that game creators properly label their content. Creators will need to ensure that all game information—such as titles, descriptions, and thumbnails—aligns with the platform’s age-appropriate standards. Games must meet either “All Ages” or “9+” age recommendations for the content to be visible to under-13 users. These changes will officially be enforced in 2025, allowing creators some time to adjust.
- Blocking Social Hangouts for Under-13s In a move designed to further safeguard younger users, Roblox will block access to “Social Hangouts” for all users under the age of 13, starting November 18, 2024. Social Hangouts are spaces on Roblox where players can interact with each other through text or voice chat. These spaces are primarily designed for users to socialize in a more open environment, but Roblox has recognized that such spaces can expose young users to unwanted interactions. By restricting access, Roblox aims to prevent situations where children may encounter inappropriate content or online grooming.
- Limiting Free-Form 2D User Creations Roblox will also restrict younger users from participating in “free-form 2D user creation” games. These are games that allow players to draw or write in 2D environments, such as whiteboards or chalkboards. The platform’s concern is that this type of open creation can lead to harmful or offensive content being produced and shared by children, particularly as Roblox does not moderate user-generated drawings in real time. This new restriction aims to prevent the creation of explicit or inappropriate imagery in the game.
Why Roblox Is Facing Criticism
Roblox, a free online gaming and game creation platform, has become a global sensation, especially among children. The platform allows users to create their own games and play games created by others, making it a highly interactive space. With an estimated 70 million daily users worldwide, a significant portion of Roblox’s audience is under the age of 13, with about 21% of its users being younger than nine years old.
However, despite its popularity, Roblox has faced increasing scrutiny over the safety of its platform. Critics argue that the company has not done enough to protect children from harmful content, particularly in light of disturbing reports. In October 2024, the U.S.-based short-selling firm Hindenburg released a report accusing Roblox of being a “pedophile hellscape.” The report highlighted concerns about children being exposed to grooming, explicit content, and abusive behavior within Roblox’s vast virtual world.
In addition to explicit content, concerns have been raised about the platform’s social features, where children may encounter toxic interactions, cyberbullying, and predatory behavior. These issues have prompted calls for more stringent measures from Roblox to ensure the safety of its young users.
Roblox’s $27 Billion Valuation and the Pressure to Act
As a platform valued at approximately $27 billion, Roblox is under significant pressure to address safety concerns while maintaining its massive user base. With a large percentage of its audience being children, the company faces the challenge of balancing user engagement with rigorous safety standards. Its latest safety measures are a direct response to these concerns, aiming to make the platform safer for younger users while still fostering creativity and fun.
The new steps, such as filtering out games that are not age-appropriate, restricting social spaces for younger users, and limiting certain types of user-generated content, are significant moves in the right direction. However, many will be watching closely to see whether these changes have the desired effect in improving safety while preserving the freedom and creativity that Roblox is known for.
Conclusion: Will These Changes Improve Roblox’s Safety?
The changes that Roblox is implementing by the end of 2024 and into 2025 are an important first step toward ensuring the platform is safer for children under the age of 13. By enforcing clearer age restrictions on content and limiting access to certain types of games and social spaces, Roblox is taking action to address long-standing concerns. However, given the scale of the platform and the ongoing challenges of moderating user-generated content, it remains to be seen how effective these new measures will be in the long run.
For parents and guardians, the new age limits and content restrictions on Roblox will likely provide some peace of mind. However, continued vigilance will be necessary to ensure that the platform remains a safe and fun space for young users. As the platform evolves, Roblox’s commitment to making improvements and responding to safety issues will likely be a defining factor in maintaining its popularity and protecting its most vulnerable users.