In a significant move to enhance user safety, popular gaming platform Roblox has announced the implementation of mandatory age verification for its chat features. This development comes amid growing concerns about child safety in online gaming environments.
When and Where Will Age Verification Begin?
Roblox will roll out the age verification system during the first week of December 2025, beginning with select markets including Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. The global implementation, including India, is scheduled to begin in early January 2026.
The decision follows legal challenges faced by the platform, including a lawsuit filed by Louisiana in August 2025 that alleged Roblox failed to implement adequate safety measures to protect young users from potential predators.
How Age-Based Chat Grouping Works
Once the verification system is active, users will only be able to chat with others within their age group or similar age brackets. The platform has established six distinct age categories: under nine years, nine to 12 years, 13 to 15 years, 16 to 17 years, 18 to 20 years, and over 21 years.
For users under nine years old, chat features will be turned off by default unless parents provide explicit consent after completing the age verification process. Additionally, users under 13 will continue to have restrictions on chat functionality outside of gaming experiences.
Step-by-Step Age Verification Process
Roblox has designed a straightforward verification process that combines facial recognition and document verification:
- Users will receive a prompt within the app requesting age verification
- Permission must be granted for Roblox to access the device's camera
- Follow on-screen instructions including facial movements and positioning
- For ID verification, users can submit government-issued documents like driver's license or passport
The complete verification process can be accessed through Settings > Account Info > Verify My Age. Users will need to scan a QR code with their mobile device and capture a selfie to confirm their identity matches the submitted photo ID.
What If Your Age is Incorrectly Estimated?
Roblox has established a 48-hour window for users to correct age estimation errors. If the system incorrectly identifies a user as under 13, they have two days from the completion of facial age estimation to complete the proper verification process through their account settings.
This comprehensive safety initiative represents Roblox's commitment to creating a more secure gaming environment, particularly for younger users who constitute a significant portion of their user base in India and worldwide.
