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New update creates Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts, limits chat, reviews games by age, and expands tools for guardians
Roblox began releasing, on Tuesday, July 15, two new types of accounts for users under 16 years old. The update changes how children and teenagers access games, chat, and features within the platform.
Users aged 5 to 8 years will be directed to Roblox Kids. Players aged 9 to 15 years will start using Roblox Select. People aged 16 years or older will continue with the standard version of the platform.
The change will be applied to users of the service worldwide. According to Roblox, the goal is to direct each age group to environments more compatible with their profile.
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Selfie verification now controls access to games and chat
The main change involves selfie verification. The feature will be used to grant access to experiences and functions aimed at older audiences.
Users who do not complete the verification will not be able to access the standard version of Roblox. The block also applies to chat features, regardless of the age provided in the account.
According to the platform, the process works similarly to that used in banking apps. The selfie is analyzed by the system, which estimates the user’s age.
If the result is contested, it will be possible to send an identity document for review.
Selfie verification had already been released in January, when it became required for chat access. At the time, the measure generated virtual protests and memes among users.
Roblox Kids and Roblox Select arrive after pressure on safety
The update comes after Roblox came under scrutiny from authorities. In Brazil, investigations pointed to the presence of games with glorification of criminal factions and simulations of school attacks.
The creation of the Roblox Kids and Roblox Select versions seeks to restrict minors’ access to content deemed inappropriate. According to the company, these environments will only have games that have undergone a review process.
The new account types had already been launched in May for users in Australia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Now, the measure is starting to be released in Brazil and other countries.
What changes in each version of the platform
Roblox Kids will be aimed at children aged 5 to 8 years. This version includes games with a minimal or mild rating and keeps the chat disabled by default.
The interface will also have a different background color. This detail helps parents and guardians quickly identify if the child is in the correct version.
Roblox Select will be targeted at users aged 9 to 15 years. This version allows games with a minimal, mild, or moderate rating.
The chat in Roblox Select will be limited to trusted friends and users of a similar age group. The measure attempts to reduce inappropriate interactions between minors and adults.
The standard version of Roblox will remain available for users aged 16 and over. This account provides access to all games, except for content restricted to those over 18.
Game classification defines age access
Games with a minimal rating may contain occasional mild violence, unrealistic blood, and mild fear.
Games with a mild rating may feature repeated mild violence and fear, more intense unrealistic blood, and mild vulgar humor.
Experiences with a moderate rating may include moderate violence, fear, and vulgar humor. They may also contain mild realistic blood and non-playable gambling content.
Restricted content may include intense violence, very realistic blood, strong language, romantic themes, alcohol presence, and prolonged interactions with AI.
Parental controls gain new features
Roblox has also expanded parental controls. Parents and guardians will be able to block and approve games for children up to 15 years old.
Before the change, this limit applied only to children up to 12 years old. The update broadens the scope of supervision tools within the platform.
To activate the feature, it is necessary to link the adult’s account to the child’s account. The process starts in Settings, within the child’s account.
Then, the guardian must access Parental Control, select Add parent, enter the email, and follow the instructions displayed by the platform.
Measure aims to reorganize the experience of minors on Roblox
The new age division represents an important change in the experience of children and teenagers on Roblox. The platform now combines selfie, game review, chat limitation, and parental control in the same update.
The company states that users without verification will not have access to the standard version or chat features. With this, Roblox aims to enhance security and reduce risks of exposure to inappropriate content.
Nominal sources: Roblox, Roblox Help Center, and information cited in the base text about investigations in Brazil.
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