Apps & Consumer
Roblox introduces age-based account tiers for global users
Roblox is launching global age-based account tiers in June, restricting content access for minors following legal pressure regarding child safety concerns.
On Monday, Roblox announced it is introducing new account types designed to give kids and younger teens age-appropriate access to chat and games. The new accounts are rolling out globally at the beginning of June. The transition follows the platform’s implementation of mandatory age checks in January for users wanting to access chats. Under the new system, Roblox will use this age-check technology to assign users to specific accounts. Users who have not completed these checks will be restricted to a selection of games rated for younger audiences.
The platform will segment users into three distinct tiers based on age:
- Roblox Kids: Assigned to users aged five to nine.
- Roblox Select: Assigned to users aged nine to 15.
- Standard accounts: Assigned to users aged 16 and up.
Additionally, only users aged 18 and older will be permitted to access “Restricted Content.”
To support these age-based tiers, games on the platform must pass a three-step screening criteria. This process includes developer verification and a real-time evaluation system to assess experiences before they are made available to younger users. Alongside these safety updates, Roblox is transitioning its subscription model. A new subscription service called Roblox Plus, which costs $4.99 per month, will replace the existing Roblox Premium tier. Roblox Premium will no longer accept new sign-ups once Roblox Plus launches on April 30.
These changes follow a wave of lawsuits, including ones from the attorneys general of Louisiana and Texas—who serve as state-level legal officials in the US—against Roblox over child safety concerns. The legal actions were filed following reports that the platform was exposing young users to dangerous risks, such as grooming and explicit content.
Why it matters
The platform’s overhaul comes amid intense regulatory pressure in the US. The move follows a wave of lawsuits from the attorneys general of Louisiana and Texas against Roblox over child safety concerns, including reports that the platform was exposing young users to dangerous risks, such as grooming and explicit content.