Children will no longer be able to chat to adult strangers on Roblox as part of an expansion of its safety measures.
Users will now be required to complete facial age checks before they can use the chat features on one of the world’s most popular gaming platforms.
Roblox has faced criticism for allowing youngsters
roblox to Introduce Facial age Verification for Chat features
Roblox is set to become the first large gaming platform to require facial age verification for users wanting to access its chat features, a move prompted by growing concerns over child safety and new online safety regulations.The system uses a device’s camera to estimate a user’s age.
The rollout is a response to increasing pressure from regulators and lawsuits alleging safety failures. The UK’s Online Safety Act, with its strict laws for tech firms protecting children, and communications regulator Ofcom, are driving the change. Anna Lucas, online safety supervision director at Ofcom, expressed satisfaction with the new measures, stating, “Platforms must now take steps to keep kids safe, and we’re ensuring they meet their responsibilities.Ther’s more to do, but change is happening.” Roblox is also facing lawsuits in the US states of Texas, kentucky and Louisiana regarding child safety.
According to Roblox’s chief safety officer,Matt Kaufman,the age estimation technology is “pretty accurate,” estimating ages within a one to two-year bracket for users aged five to 25. Currently, the system is available for voluntary use globally.
Mandatory checks will begin in Australia,New Zealand,and the Netherlands in early December,with a worldwide rollout planned for January.
Users will be categorized into age groups – under nine, 9 to 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, 18 to 20, and 21+ – and will primarily be able to chat with others in the same range. Exceptions will be made for “trusted connections,” allowing users to connect with people they know. Players under 13 will still require parental permission for private messages and certain chats.
The new measures aim to address concerns about adults contacting young players on the platform.
Group to Stage Virtual Protest Inside Roblox Over Child Safety Concerns
A group of advocates is planning a first-of-its-kind virtual protest within the popular online gaming platform Roblox, demanding stronger child-safety measures. The protest will involve the delivery of a digital petition signed by over 12,000 people, calling for meaningful changes to protect young users.
The group’s central demand is that “Roblox must stop being a playground for predators,” reflecting growing concerns about the potential for grooming and exploitation on the platform.
While the specific details of the virtual protest haven’t been widely publicized, the move highlights increasing scrutiny of online safety practices within virtual worlds, notably those frequented by children. Roblox has faced past criticism regarding its handling of user safety and moderation. In 2022,a report by the BBC detailed concerns about grooming and inappropriate content on the platform. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63399999
Roblox has implemented various safety features, including parental controls and reporting mechanisms, but advocates argue these measures are insufficient. The petition and upcoming protest aim to pressure the company to adopt more robust safeguards and proactively address the risks faced by its young user base.
This protest represents a novel approach to activism, leveraging the platform itself to raise awareness and demand change. It remains to be seen how Roblox will respond to the demonstration and the demands of the petition.