Roblox will soon have to undergo an age estimation process if users want to be able to chat with other people on the platform. This requirement will go into effect for all users starting in early January.
Starting the first week of December, Roblox will require users in certain markets, including Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, to go through an age estimation process to be able to chat with others. In early January, the requirement will expand to other countries where you will be able to use Roblox’s chat.
After going through the age estimation process, Roblox will divide users into groups: under 9 years, 9-12 years, 13-15 years, 16-17 years, 18-20 years, and over 21 years. Users will only be able to talk to users in their same group and appropriate age group, Roblox VP Rajeev Bhatia said in a briefing.
In its Newsroom post, Roblox gives some examples of how these groups work and who they let people chat with:
Alyssa (approximate age 12): Experience Chat features Alyssa to chat with users 15 years of age or younger. All users 16 years of age or older are prevented from initiating or joining chats with him.
Marcus (approximate age 18): Marcus has access to chat with users 16 years of age or older and can add a younger sibling as a trusted connection, as long as they are 13 years of age or older.
The images and videos used for Roblox’s age verification check are processed by Persona, and Roblox says the images and videos are deleted immediately after being processed.