Two days after Roblox rolled out a new age verification process across all platforms, some users are running into frustrating issues.
On January 7th, Roblox started requiring “facial age checks” to use the in-game chat. This means you have to use your camera to scan your face, and the system estimates your age based on the scan. This estimate shapes your chat experience, dictating who you can and can’t talk to.
I’ve been covering online safety for a while now, and I’ve seen similar systems stumble out of the gate.
1. Why is Roblox using facial scanning for age verification?
One initial problem is that the age estimations aren’t always accurate. Some users are reporting that the system is overestimating children’s ages, placing them in chat groups with older users.
Roblox stated on January 7th that this age verification is a “step toward what we believe will be the gold standard for communication safety.” The goal is to create age-appropriate experiences and limit interaction between adults and children under 16.
Roblox reports “tens of millions of daily active users” completed the age check during its initial rollout in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. Since its wider implementation this week, the results seem inconsistent.
2. What happens if Roblox gets my child’s age wrong?
One parent shared that Roblox estimated her 10-year-old daughter was 16. The facial age check overrides the age originally entered, and correcting it requires submitting identification.
The mother said, “Even if [my child] had an ID, I wouldn’t scan hers into their system to correct it. The age verification process often resulting in young kids being placed in older age groups defeats the purpose of trying to keep them safe online.”
3. How difficult is it to correct an incorrect age estimation?
Correcting errors involves navigating layers of AI agents before reaching a real person who can help.
A Reddit user shared, “I (37) like to play Roblox with my son (10) pretty frequently. I just age-verified both our accounts, and now I can’t even chat to my own child in-game? Why the frick are Trusted Connections only available for 13-plus? We spend so much on this game over the years, and now it takes away my ability to talk to my own child?”
How do I chat with my child on Roblox if the age verification separates us?
The current “Trusted Connections” feature, which would allow parents to connect with their children in the game, is only available for users 13 and older, creating a barrier for younger children and their parents.
4. Why is Roblox so focused on age verification now?
Roblox has faced scrutiny in recent years, with some calling it a “breeding ground for predators.” Last month, the game was even blocked in Russia for “LGBT propaganda.”
These security measures aim to protect children, but their execution is causing frustration for many.
5. Are the new Roblox age checks working at all?
I tried the facial scan myself on a new account, and it correctly identified me as “21 or older.” However, the RobloxHelp Reddit page is full of complaints about issues with the AI-powered tech.
What if I don’t want Roblox to scan my child’s face?
Unfortunately, at this time, declining the facial scan limits access to chat features. Roblox is betting that this will improve safety, but some parents understandably have privacy concerns.
How accurate is the Roblox age estimation, really?
Based on anecdotal reports and user complaints, the accuracy seems inconsistent. It’s likely that the AI algorithms need further refinement to avoid misclassifying users.
Moyens I/O has reached out to Roblox for comment on this story.
Roblox’s heart seems to be in the right place with these changes. However, the initial execution is rough, leaving many parents feeling more frustrated than safe. How do you think Roblox should balance safety and user experience? Leave a comment below.