Roblox announced on Monday that it will introduce age-specific account categories aimed at strengthening protections for younger users. Using an age verification system or parental confirmation, the videogame platform will automatically place users aged 5 to 8 into "Roblox Kids" accounts and those aged 9 to 15 into "Roblox Select" accounts, with the new account types scheduled to be available in early June.
The company said the account rollout will be accompanied by tightened content rules. "We will also introduce, at the same time, new requirements on what content standards must be met in order to have content or games appear in either the Roblox Kids account or the Roblox Select account," Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman said at a press briefing.
"We will also introduce, at the same time, new requirements on what content standards must be met in order to have content or games appear in either the Roblox Kids account or the Roblox Select account," - Matt Kaufman, Chief Safety Officer
Games eligible for the "Roblox Kids" tier will be restricted according to maturity level and must pass what the company described as a "rigorous three-step review process." Kaufman indicated that creators seeking placement in those account categories must meet strict eligibility criteria.
Under the review process, Roblox requires developers to verify their identities, enable two-step verification for account security and maintain an active Roblox Plus subscription. Roblox also disclosed that it will launch the Roblox Plus subscription plan on April 30, priced at $4.99 per month, and said the plan will include discounts on in-game items and avatars in addition to other platform benefits.
Chat settings will differ by account type: the chat function will be disabled by default for "Roblox Kids" accounts and will be activated gradually for "Roblox Select" accounts according to age thresholds.
The announcement comes as Roblox faces heightened global scrutiny over allegations that the platform has not done enough to protect children from sexual predators and exploitation. The company acknowledged that criticism from governments worldwide has intensified in recent years and positioned the new account structure and creator requirements as part of its response.
Details on timing and the precise eligibility standards for creators were limited to what Roblox publicly described at the briefing. The company set the account rollout for early June and the subscription launch date for April 30, and it specified the developer requirements that will be part of the review process.