With the many recent controversies surrounding Roblox, the company is introducing a major update to its safety system: millions of users — especially teens aged 13 and over — will now be prompted to verify their age using a video selfie. The company is working with identity-verification firm Persona to analyse facial features and estimate how old a person is.
Why Roblox Is Doing This
The new age-estimation tech gives users access to an updated chat system called “Trusted Connections.” Once verified, users aged 13+ can participate in more open, filter-free text and voice chats with contacts they truly know. Roblox argues that this strengthens safety by limiting unmoderated communication to users whose age it has reasonably confirmed.
In Malaysia, there was a case of a 9-year-old brother who slashed his younger sibling because of Roblox. This obviously sparked shocking news across the nation, with many knee-jerking calling for a ban on the game, including the government. We recently wrote a piece about how parents are missing the point by making games the scapegoat for violence. After all, there are billions of gamers globally, so it doesn't make sense to blame games for violence.
Privacy and Safety Layers Built In
According to Roblox, the age-check process doesn’t just rely on selfies: alongside the video selfie, they combine ID-based verification and parental consent to improve accuracy. If the AI is not confident about the estimated age, users still have the option to prove their age with a government-issued ID.
Roblox also says its system proactively monitors all chat — even among Trusted Connections — for critical risks such as grooming. Parents of teens can review who their child is chatting with, and newer well-being tools let users control how much they’re visible online or mute notifications.
Broader Rollout and Ratings Move
Roblox is expanding the use of age estimation to all users who use voice or text chat, targeting a global rollout by the end of 2025. At the same time, it’s partnering with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) to standardise game content ratings on its platform.
Criticism and Concerns
Some users are worried about facial recognition, biometric data, and how accurate AI age checks can be. On Reddit, a number of players have reported the system misestimating their age or failing to verify them correctly.
What It Means for Roblox’s Future
Roblox’s selfie age-check is a big step in transforming its chat and safety model. By requiring age verification for unfiltered communications, the company aims to strike a balance: giving teens more freedom in trusted environments, while limiting risky interactions and boosting trust among parents. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.
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