Roblox has announced significant new measures aimed at enhancing the safety of its younger users, particularly those under the age of 13. The platform will permanently disable the ability of these users to send messages outside of games, allowing in-game messaging only with parental consent. This move comes in response to increasing scrutiny over the platform's safety protocols, especially regarding allegations of child exploitation.
With 89 million active users, Roblox has faced backlash for claims related to child abuse on its service. In August, Turkish authorities blocked access to Roblox, citing concerns over user-generated content. Additionally, a lawsuit filed in 2022 accused the company of facilitating exploitation, including both sexual and financial abuse of a young girl in California.
As part of the new rules, under-13 users will now only receive public broadcast messages within select games, and Roblox is updating its content descriptors to classify games as ‘Minimal’ or ‘Restricted.’ This classification will limit access for users under nine years old to age-appropriate experiences. Furthermore, any restricted content will be accessible only to users aged 17 and older, who will need to verify their age.
These changes come as Roblox seeks to bolster child safety amidst ongoing concerns. Matt Kaufman, Roblox's chief safety officer, emphasized the company's commitment to prioritizing safety, stating, "Any instance of a child being hurt or put in danger that has anything to do with Roblox is absolutely unacceptable."
The update, which was rolled out on November 18, includes enhanced parental controls that allow parents to manage their children's accounts remotely, rather than solely through the child's account. Parents will now have the ability to oversee friend lists, set spending limits for in-game purchases, and enforce screen time restrictions.
Roblox has also introduced four new content categories for filtering: minimal, mild, moderate, and restricted. By default, players under nine will only have access to the minimal and mild categories, with parents given the option to enable access to the other categories based on their discretion.
Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician and director at Boston Children's Hospital, acknowledged that while these age-based protocols are a step forward, they are not exhaustive solutions for online safety. He stressed the importance of parental judgment in navigating the complexities of online interactions.
To further protect young users, direct messaging for players under 13 will be disabled by default, limiting their ability to communicate with others outside of the game environment. This measure responds to concerns about children encountering potentially harmful interactions in unrestricted chat settings.
The implementation of these new safety features comes in the wake of alarming incidents involving predators on the platform. Investigative journalist Olivia Carville highlighted cases where children were harmed after meeting individuals in private chat rooms on Roblox, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures.
As Roblox continues to grow, the challenges of moderating the platform increase, making it vital for parents to be aware of the risks associated with their children's online activities. The company’s latest initiatives aim to create a safer environment for young gamers while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of ensuring child safety in digital spaces.
Zainab Y.
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