Roblox to ban young children from messaging others

Roblox has announced that it will restrict under-13s from sending direct messages (DMs) to other players on its platform, a move aimed at enhancing child safety. This change will prevent younger users from initiating private conversations within games, unless a parent or guardian has verified their consent.

The new policy, which is set to begin rolling out in phases starting Monday, will be fully implemented by the end of March 2025. Roblox explained that, while children under 13 will still be able to participate in public chats visible to all players in games, they will no longer be able to privately message others without parental approval.

In addition to this messaging restriction, Roblox is also offering parents more control over their child’s account. Through a parental verification process, which requires a government-issued ID or a credit card, parents can manage their child’s online activity, monitor their list of friends, and set daily screen time limits.

Roblox is the most popular gaming platform for children ages 8 to 12 in the UK, according to research by Ofcom, but the platform has faced growing concerns regarding child safety. The company has been under pressure to make its platform safer for younger users, particularly in the wake of rising concerns over online interactions and potential risks from unmoderated content.

Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s chief safety officer, stated that the platform is played by 88 million people daily, and thousands of its employees work specifically on improving safety features. “As our platform has grown, we’ve recognized that our safety measures must evolve as well,” Kaufman explained.

One of the key changes includes a revamped system for parental controls. Parents will now be able to easily view their child’s account, monitor their activity, and set playtime restrictions. To gain access to these tools, parents will need to verify their identity through official documentation, which ensures the security and integrity of the account.

Kaufman also stressed the importance of accurate age reporting. While acknowledging that verifying age is a challenge for many tech platforms, he urged parents to ensure their child’s account accurately reflects their age. “Our goal is to keep all users safe, regardless of their age,” he said.

Additionally, Roblox is simplifying its content rating system. Instead of age-based recommendations, the platform will introduce “content labels” that describe the nature of a game. These labels will help parents make decisions based on the maturity of their child, rather than their age alone.

The content labels will range from “minimal” (games with mild violence or fear) to “restricted” (which may contain strong violence, mature language, or realistic blood). For example, users under nine will only be able to access games marked as “minimal” or “mild” by default. Parents can give consent for their child to access “moderate” content, but users will not be allowed to play “restricted” games until they turn 17 and verify their age.

These changes follow a broader effort to improve safety on platforms used by children, particularly in the UK. In November, Roblox announced it would bar under-13s from participating in “social hangouts” where players communicate via text or voice messages. This policy will go into effect on Monday. Additionally, from December 3, Roblox game developers will be required to specify whether their games are appropriate for children and restrict access to any games that fail to provide such information.

The company’s move comes in response to the UK’s new Online Safety Act, which is designed to protect children from harmful content online. Under the act, platforms that fail to safeguard children will face penalties. Ofcom, the UK’s regulatory body, is preparing to publish codes of practice for online platforms, which will outline the safety measures companies must follow.

These efforts are part of Roblox’s ongoing commitment to improving safety and providing a secure, enjoyable experience for its young users. By enhancing parental controls, limiting private messaging, and simplifying content ratings, Roblox aims to strike a balance between maintaining its popularity among young players and ensuring a safer online environment.