Age Verification Milestone
Roblox has achieved a significant milestone in its child safety efforts, reporting that more than 45% of its vast daily active user base, which spans 144
million globally, has successfully undergone mandatory age verification. This crucial step, either through facial age estimation technology or direct ID validation, commenced on February 9. The platform is making these age checks compulsory for all users wishing to engage in communication features starting January 2026. This proactive measure is designed to ensure that interactions within the platform are age-appropriate and to provide more accurate demographic data, moving away from less reliable self-reported ages. The aim is to deliver tailored experiences and functionalities that better suit the age profiles of its diverse user community.
Age Demographics Revealed
Delving deeper into the verified user data, Roblox has shared a breakdown of its age-checked daily active users. Notably, individuals between the ages of 13 and 17 constitute over 38% of this group. Users younger than 13 represent approximately 35% of the verified daily active user base, while those 18 years and older make up the remaining 27%. It's important to note that these statistics reflect user data as of January 31, 2026, and are expected to evolve as more users complete the verification process. Roblox anticipates that this enhanced demographic understanding will enable them to create more suitable and engaging experiences for each age bracket, fostering a safer and more personalized environment.
Addressing Safety Concerns
The implementation of mandatory age-checks for chat functionality arrives amidst increased regulatory attention and ongoing legal challenges. Several lawsuits, including those filed by the attorneys general of Texas and Louisiana, have raised concerns about the platform's child safety protocols, alleging potential exposure of young users to risks like grooming and inappropriate content. Roblox asserts that by gathering more precise age information, it can more effectively curate age-appropriate experiences and communication features. This initiative is seen as a key step in optimizing their matchmaking systems, helping users connect with others within similar age groups and ensuring that the social aspects of the platform, particularly chat, remain high-quality and safe for all.
New Safety Features Emerge
To refine the age verification process and accommodate potential errors, Roblox has introduced a one-time reset option within Account Settings for users who may have made a mistake during their initial age check. Similarly, parents are granted a one-time opportunity through Parental Controls to correct their child's age information. Behind the scenes, Roblox employs sophisticated behavioral analysis, utilizing various signals to detect discrepancies between a user's reported age and their actual gameplay patterns. If the system identifies a significant mismatch, such as a user who self-reported or age-checked as younger exhibiting gameplay indicative of an older age, they will be prompted to complete an additional verification. Furthermore, the 'Trusted Connections' feature is being expanded to allow eligible users to communicate with friends and family outside their age group, with parental oversight, and will soon be available for under-13 users, automatically linking them with their caregivers.
Enhancing Chat Experience
Roblox is actively developing new features for its chat experience, aiming to introduce activity indicators that signify ongoing conversations across all age groups. This enhancement is being implemented while upholding the platform's stringent safety standards. The introduction of these indicators is intended to foster a more dynamic and engaging social environment within the platform, ensuring that communication remains a positive and secure aspect of the user experience for everyone. The ongoing commitment to safety and user well-being remains at the forefront of these developments, as the platform continues to innovate its features.
