New Safety Measure for Popular Gaming Platform
Roblox, the massively popular user-generated gaming platform, is implementing a groundbreaking safety feature designed to protect Australian children from online predators. The platform, which has faced criticism for exposing young users to inappropriate content, will now require facial age verification for access to its chat functions.
The timing is significant as Roblox remains exempt from Australia's upcoming under-16s social media ban set to begin on December 10, 2025. This new safety initiative comes after extensive discussions with Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.
How the Age Assurance System Works
Starting next month, Roblox users will need to undergo facial scanning through their device's camera to access chat features. The system groups users into specific age brackets: under nine, nine to 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, 18 to 20, and 21 plus.
Once verified, users will be restricted to chatting only with others in their same age range. The exception allows those aged 13 and over to communicate with older users who have been pre-approved as trusted connections.
Roblox has emphasized its commitment to privacy, stating that facial images will be deleted immediately after age estimation. The company is partnering with third-party provider Persona to deliver this technology.
Global Rollout with Australian Focus
Australia represents Roblox's second largest market after the United States, making it a priority for the launch of this safety feature. The platform boasts an estimated 380 million users globally, with 151.5 million daily active users and 34% aged under 13.
Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman acknowledged that while less than 0.01% of content on the platform violates community standards, even that small percentage represents a significant problem. "We know that anything that gets through our systems is a problem," Kaufman stated during a recent briefing.
The age assurance feature is launching in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands initially, with plans for global expansion in January 2026.
Government and Privacy Response
Communications Minister Anika Wells is currently consulting on a digital duty of care, which the government plans to legislate to force digital platforms to implement stronger user safety measures.
When asked if Roblox's new system was designed to meet these future requirements, Kaufman responded that the company was implementing these changes "on a global basis without being mandated."
Future of Privacy Reform chief executive Jules Polonetsky endorsed the approach, describing it as "privacy preserving" and effective for protecting younger players while respecting user rights.
The move follows September's federal government age assurance technology trial, which found the technology could be implemented privately and efficiently, though it warned about potential unnecessary data retention.
