On Monday, Roblox Corporation unveiled new features aimed at users under the age of 13, following heightened criticism regarding its safety protocols for minors on the platform.
In a recent blog post, the company stated that it prioritizes the safety of young users “extremely seriously.”
“We are fundamentally a platform for play, which differs from other places on the internet, where the focus is on browsing or consuming content. Since the day we launched, we’ve seen a growing population of younger users, and we want to ensure their safety on Roblox,” the statement continued.
The new Content Labels system will categorize experiences based on their content rather than the user’s age, significantly restricting access for users younger than nine years. It will feature four labels: Minimal, Mild, Moderate, and Restricted, with the default setting allowing access only to the first two categories unless parental consent is given for others.
In response to previous concerns regarding its open chat feature, users under 13 will no longer be able to send messages to others outside the games. They will also be limited in sending direct messages, only permitted to utilize public broadcast messages. Additionally, Roblox is taking steps to restrict the experiences available to them.
The company confirmed reports from IGN, stating it is expanding parental controls, allowing guardians to monitor these settings from their own devices. Features now permit parents to set daily screen time limits, view their child’s friend list, and manage their spending.
Roblox has faced backlash in the past for its insufficient protective measures for younger players. A recent Bloomberg article included insights from current and former employees and experts, all indicating that there is still substantial improvement needed in terms of moderation and the safeguarding of young users. Critics pointed out issues with the default open chat feature, ease of sign-up, and the absence of “grooming” references in moderation guidelines.
Moreover, a recent analysis by Hindenburg Research accused Roblox of “compromising child safety in order to report growth to investors,” describing conditions as a “pedophile hellscape” rife with hate speech and explicit content.
“Safety on Roblox is at the core of everything we do,” states the Roblox content moderation guide. Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman reiterated this viewpoint in a Bloomberg interview, claiming that “tens of millions of people of all ages have a safe and positive experience on Roblox every single day.”