Roblox Rolls Out Facial Age Verification for Chat Worldwide

Roblox has begun a global rollout of its facial age check requirement for chat access, turning a previously announced plan into a live feature. The launch starts in the United States and expands to all regions where chat is available over the next week.

Roblox Age Verification For Chat is Now Rolling Out

The move positions Roblox as the first major online gaming platform to require facial age estimation before allowing users to chat. The company says the goal centers on promoting age-appropriate communication and reducing interactions between adults and children under 16.

In pilot regions such as Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, tens of millions of users completed an age check. More than half of daily active users in those markets participated during testing.

Once users complete the check, Roblox assigns them to age-based chat groups, such as under 9, 9–12, and 13–15, etc. Chat typically stays limited to the same or adjacent age groups. Children under 9 need parental consent, while users aged 13 and older can expand conversations beyond their group through Trusted Connections.

Roblox emphasizes privacy safeguards alongside the rollout. The system deletes all photos and videos used for facial analysis immediately after processing. Age checks also sit within a broader safety framework that includes content filters, proactive moderation, and tools designed to block the sharing of personal information.

If users disagree with their estimated age, they can appeal or verify through alternative methods like ID checks or parental controls. Roblox also plans to extend age verification to features such as Studio collaboration tools. For more information, visit the official Roblox blog post.

To verify your age, do the following:

1. Open the Roblox app on your phone and choose Unlock chat.
    
2. Tap Continue.
3. Tap on Continue again.
   
4. Allow Roblox to access your camera.
5. Move your head and let the phone scan your face.
6. Once you get your age estimate, tap OK.

Do you see facial age checks as a necessary step to protect younger players, or do they cross a line on user privacy?