Roblox rolls out mandatory age-gated account tiers worldwide

Roblox is preparing to introduce a major overhaul to its platform that will place users into age-based account categories, marking one of the most significant changes since the company began rolling out age verification last year. The new structure is intended to provide better access to content and communication features across the platform’s large user base.

The update is scheduled to begin in mid-May and will gradually expand worldwide. Users will be assigned to one of three account environments based on their verified age. These environments will correspond to the platform’s existing content maturity labels, which classify games into Minimal, Mild, Moderate and Restricted categories. Roblox said the aim is to create clearer boundaries around what content users can access and whom they can interact with.

Introduction of new age-based account environments

Under the new framework, users will be placed into one of three groups: Roblox Kids, Roblox Select, or the standard Roblox account. Although the exact age ranges will vary by region, the company confirmed that in the United States, the Kids category will cover users aged five to eight, Select will include users aged nine to fifteen, and the standard account will apply to users aged sixteen and above.

Accounts in the Roblox Kids category will have the strictest safeguards. Chat functions will be turned off by default, and users will only be able to access games with content ratings of Minimal or Mild. These restrictions are intended to provide a safer and more controlled environment for younger players who may not yet be ready for more complex or interactive experiences.

Users aged 9 to 15 will be placed in the Roblox Select category. This group will have limited chat capabilities, allowing communication with others in the same age group and with “trusted friends” who have been approved through parental checks. Select accounts will also be able to access Moderate-rated experiences, alongside games designed for younger audiences.

At age sixteen, users will automatically transition to the standard Roblox account environment, which includes the platform’s full range of features. However, not all content will immediately become available. Games marked as Restricted will remain locked until users reach eighteen, ensuring that adult-rated content remains limited to older players.

Roblox said that more than half of its users have already completed age verification through identification checks or facial recognition systems. As the new account system rolls out globally, the company expects users who have not yet verified their age to be placed in a Kids-like experience by default, restricting chat features and limiting game access to Mild-rated content until verification is completed.

Developer verification and moderation measures

Alongside changes to user accounts, Roblox is introducing new requirements for developers who create games on the platform. The company said developers will now be required to verify their identity and subscribe to a paid programme, Roblox Plus, costing US$5 per month. According to the company, this fee is intended to demonstrate “a long-term commitment to the platform” and improve accountability among creators.

Roblox believes that verified developers will be more likely to assign accurate maturity ratings to their games. The platform relies heavily on user-generated content, which presents ongoing challenges in ensuring that games are appropriately labelled for different age groups. The new system is designed to encourage responsible content classification while creating additional oversight.

Artificial intelligence will also play a central role in moderation efforts. Roblox said its automated tools will monitor both gameplay and chat activity to confirm that content matches its assigned maturity label. If inconsistencies are detected, the system is expected to flag the game and take corrective action.

However, observers have noted that gaps may still exist during the early stages of moderation. A scenario could arise in which a young user briefly encounters mature content before the system identifies and addresses the issue. Roblox acknowledged that users aged sixteen and above are likely to explore new games first, which the company suggests could help limit younger users’ exposure to unsuitable experiences.

Despite these safeguards, the scale of Roblox’s platform means moderation remains a complex task. The company hosts millions of user-created experiences, making consistent enforcement of standards a significant operational challenge.

Expanded parental controls and ongoing verification concerns

In addition to restructuring account tiers, Roblox has announced new parental control tools that are expected to launch in June. These features are designed to give parents more direct oversight of their children’s activity on the platform.

One of the upcoming tools will allow parents to block specific games and control their child’s access to direct messaging until their child reaches sixteen. Previously, children over the age of thirteen could unblock certain experiences without parental approval. The new rule is intended to strengthen parental authority and prevent younger users from accessing unsuitable content independently.

Another feature will enable parents to approve games outside their child’s assigned age bracket on an individual basis. Roblox provided an example of a younger child who may wish to play a game alongside an older sibling, suggesting that the approval system will offer flexibility while maintaining safety standards.

Despite these improvements, questions remain about the reliability of automated age verification systems. A Wired report published in January indicated that some younger users might still find ways to bypass age checks, raising concerns about whether the safeguards can fully prevent underage access to restricted content.

Addressing these concerns, Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman said the company has built in mechanisms to correct mistakes when verification errors occur. “If we get it wrong … we offer users multiple ways to correct that,” he told reporters ahead of the announcement. He added that the platform is “constantly measuring users’ behaviour and comparing that against what their age-check data says. If we see those things divert, then we will ask people to run through the age process again.”

The success of Roblox’s new age-based system will likely depend on how effectively these verification and monitoring tools perform in real-world conditions. As the platform continues to expand globally, balancing safety, accessibility and creative freedom remains a central challenge for the company.