Roblox Uses AI to Verify Age With Video Selfies for Teens
▼ Summary
– Roblox is introducing new safety features for minors, including a tiered friend system (Connections and Trusted Connections) and age verification via video selfie.
– Age verification uses AI to estimate age; users under 13 lose access to age-inappropriate features, while unverified users must submit ID or parental consent.
– Trusted Connections allow verified teens (13-17) to add peers, but adults (18+) require QR or phone verification, with fewer chat filters for monitored safety.
– Roblox aims to keep users on-platform by reducing chat filters for verified teens, enabling better moderation against predatory behavior and inappropriate content.
– Roblox has faced safety issues, including lawsuits and arrests related to grooming, but claims 60% of its 98 million users are over 13 and prioritizes “safe by default” measures.
Roblox is implementing advanced safety measures for younger users, including AI-powered age verification through video selfies and enhanced privacy controls. The platform’s updated friend system now categorizes connections into standard and trusted tiers, requiring age confirmation to access more private features.
To verify their age, users must submit a video selfie, which Roblox analyzes using AI-driven technology trained on diverse datasets. If the system estimates the user is under 13, they’ll automatically lose access to age-restricted features. Those whose age can’t be determined with certainty must provide official ID verification. While biometric data is typically deleted within 30 days, Roblox retains it if legally required.
Acknowledging challenges with younger teens lacking government-issued IDs, Roblox allows parental verification as an alternative. Without this, minors won’t be able to use Trusted Connections, a feature enabling unfiltered communication for users aged 13 to 17. Adults over 18 must verify through QR codes or phone numbers. Though chat filters are lifted for verified teens, conversations remain monitored under Roblox’s community guidelines to prevent predatory behavior and inappropriate content.
The company emphasizes safety by default, filtering communications for unverified teens while letting parents disable chats entirely via controls. With over 60% of its 98 million users above 13, Roblox faces ongoing scrutiny regarding child safety. Recent reports highlight arrests linked to grooming and exploitation on the platform, alongside lawsuits accusing the company of mishandling minor data and failing to prevent abuse.
By tightening security measures, Roblox aims to balance user freedom with protection, keeping younger players engaged within its ecosystem rather than migrating to less-regulated platforms. The changes reflect broader industry efforts to address digital safety concerns while maintaining an engaging experience for millions of young gamers worldwide.
(Source: Wired)
