Roblox adds age-based Kids and Select accounts globally

Roblox has introduced Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts globally, changing how younger users are placed into games, chat settings and parental controls.

The new accounts sort users by age. Roblox Kids is for users aged 5 to 8 and has the strictest default settings, including chat being switched off. Roblox Select is for users aged 9 to 15, with access to games and chat increasing gradually as users get older.

Users aged 16 and older need to complete an age check, using ID verification or facial age estimation, before they can access the full Roblox platform. Users who have not completed an age check will still be placed into Kids or Select accounts based on their self-declared age, but they will not have access to chat or the full Roblox experience.

The global rollout follows an earlier launch in Australia, Indonesia, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Chat access is now tied more closely to age checks

Chat remains disabled for users younger than 9. For users aged 9 to 15, chat access can expand over time, although parents can still change standard chat settings until the child turns 16.

Where chat is available, users can chat only with people in their own or similar age groups, or with Trusted Friends. Roblox describes Trusted Friends as people the user knows and trusts. Text filters and chat rephrasing remain in place, and all chat is monitored for child exploitation.

The changes also cover social media links. Social media links were already not allowed in chat, but they will now only be shareable or viewable by age-checked users aged 16 or older. This applies across user profiles, game detail pages, Community pages and the Creator Hub.

Games for younger users will face added review

All games on Roblox go through moderation and receive a content maturity rating. Games made available to Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts will face additional checks before they enter those catalogues.

Developers publishing games for younger users must verify their ID, secure their account with two-factor authentication, and either purchase a Roblox subscription or pay a one-time refundable publishing fee. The company will also review games through real-time evaluations that analyse gameplay and assess reports from users aged 16 and older.

Games with social hangout features, free-form drawing features or sensitive issues will not be allowed in Roblox Kids or Roblox Select catalogues. Roblox Moments, which lets users share gameplay clips, will not be available to Kids or Select accounts at launch.

Parents get different controls as children grow

Parents who link their Roblox account to their child’s account can use Parental Controls to manage parts of the child’s experience.

For children aged 5 to 8, parents can choose whether to allow in-game chat. If allowed, chat will be text-based and limited to users in the same or similar age groups, or Trusted Friends.

Until a child turns 13, parents can check the child’s friend list, block or report contacts, approve or decline Trusted Friend requests, and set screen time and spending limits. Until the child turns 16, parents can change chat settings and allow or block specific games.

For users aged 16 to 18, parental control becomes more limited. Parents can still receive spending notifications and view information on screen time and friend lists.

Exact ages, games and features associated with the new accounts may vary by region.