Roblox Introduces New Safety Measures to Protect Young Users
Roblox, the massively popular gaming platform, has rolled out significant updates to protect its younger audience, particularly those under 13.
What are the updates?
Starting immediately, parents will have more control over their child's account, including the ability to monitor friends lists, set daily screen time limits, and restrict spending. By March 2025, children under 13 will only be able to send public, broadcast-style messages within games, reducing the risk of private conversations with strangers.
Alongside the messaging restrictions, Roblox is introducing simplified content labels to help parents better understand what games are appropriate for their kids. The new system categorises content into four tiers: "minimal," "mild," "moderate," and "restricted." Users under nine will only have access to "minimal" or "mild" games by default. Access to more mature content will require parental consent, ensuring that parents have a say in what their children can play.
Updates follow platforms facing new regulations to protect users
The updates come at a crucial time as platforms like Roblox face new regulations under the UK’s Online Safety Act, which mandates stricter controls to protect children from harmful content online. Ofcom, the regulatory body enforcing this law, has warned companies of hefty penalties if they fail to comply.
Roblox’s changes are part of a broader effort to regain trust after a series of negative headlines. Just last month, the company was criticised following a report that exposed instances of inappropriate content and user behaviour. Roblox responded to these claims by reiterating its commitment to creating a safe environment and rejecting accusations of lax safety protocols. A recent report even alleged instances of child exploitation on the platform, which Roblox has denied.
Despite the criticism, the company maintains that it’s constantly working on improving its trust and safety systems. Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s chief safety officer, emphasised the platform’s commitment to evolving its safety measures.
“As our platform has grown, so have our responsibilities,” he said. “We’re focused on creating a safer environment for users of all ages.” Kaufman noted that Roblox has invested heavily in safety, with thousands of its employees dedicated to monitoring and improving the platform.
The platform's efforts have already garnered praise from organisations like the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) and the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). However, Roblox acknowledges that keeping its young audience safe is an ongoing challenge.
For parents, the new controls also provide peace of mind by allowing them to actively oversee their children’s online interactions. Roblox hopes these updates will make the platform safer while still allowing its community of over 88 million daily active users to enjoy a fun and engaging experience.
