Roblox Corporation announced new safety features for users under 13, addressing concerns about child protection on the platform. These changes, detailed in a recent blog post, underscore Roblox’s commitment to online safety, particularly for its younger users. Roblox emphasizes its platform’s focus on play, distinguishing it from other online spaces centered on content consumption or browsing, and highlighting the importance of safeguarding its young user base.
New Content Labels and Chat Restrictions
A key update is the Content Labels system, which categorizes experiences based on content rather than age. This system uses four labels: Minimal, Mild, Moderate, and Restricted. By default, users under nine are limited to Minimal and Mild content, requiring parental consent for access to other categories. This addresses previous criticism surrounding open chat on the platform. Users under 13 will no longer be able to message outside of specific experiences, restricting them to public broadcast messages. Roblox is also actively working on refining experience accessibility for this age group.
Expanded Parental Controls and Addressing Past Criticisms
Roblox has expanded parental controls, enabling remote access from parents’ devices. Parents can now set daily screen time limits, view their child’s friend list, and control in-app spending. These updates directly address past criticisms regarding insufficient child protection on the platform. A recent Bloomberg report, based on interviews with former and current Roblox employees, users, and experts, highlighted concerns about moderation and player safety. The report criticized the open chat feature, the ease of account creation, and the omission of “grooming” from moderation guidelines. A Hindenburg Research analysis also raised concerns about Roblox prioritizing reported growth over child safety, alleging a “pedophile hellscape” of inappropriate content.
A laptop with a Roblox wallpaper.
Roblox’s Commitment to Safety
Roblox maintains that safety is a core principle, a claim reflected in their content moderation guide. Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman reiterated this commitment in an interview with Bloomberg, emphasizing the positive experiences of millions of users daily. The new features aim to reinforce this commitment, providing enhanced protection and greater control for younger users and their parents.
A Safer Online Play Environment
These changes represent a significant step towards creating a safer online play environment for children on Roblox. While challenges remain, these improvements demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing concerns and prioritizing child safety.
