In response, Roblox, a leading platform in the realm of children’s gaming, has introduced new security protocols. Users will now be required to provide a photo of themselves alongside their government-issued ID to access the chat function. Alternatively, they can submit a selfie for AI-powered “age estimation.” This step aims to verify users’ ages more accurately.

The decision to implement these changes follows a spate of legal actions against Roblox. The lawsuits allege that the platform has, at times, created an unsafe environment, leaving children vulnerable to predatory behavior from adults who might exploit or groom them.

Roblox players guide avatars through diverse, user-generated worlds and game modes, making the platform a virtual playground for millions of children. Recognizing the need for safer digital spaces, the company has taken proactive steps to address these concerns.

The updated security measures were revealed earlier this year. Initially, they will be rolled out in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, with plans to expand to other countries, including the United States, in the coming year.

To submit verification, a user must upload a photo of themselves along with their government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license. 

But unlike most social media apps, which have a minimum age of 13, Roblox allows younger children to use the platform. Since most children and young teens don’t have an ID, they will need to submit a selfie to the platform for verification using a third-party AI scan. 

Roblox says it has partnered with Persona, a data collection service, to verify users using an AI system. 

“We estimate your age by analyzing a selfie of your face and examining your facial features,” the company explained on its website. “Your estimated age helps place you in the appropriate age group (under 13, 13+ and 18+) to customize your experience on Roblox. If you are placed in the under-13 age group based on facial age estimation, certain personal data, including your email and phone number, will be removed from Roblox.” 

The new chat system being rolled out with the verification requirement is “age-based,” meaning it will limit users’ ability to interact with people outside their age group. 

Roblox didn’t provide details on how accurate its age estimation features are, but Engadget reports that the company’s Chief Safety Officer, Matt Kaufman, called the verification “pretty accurate.”

“What we find is that the algorithms between that 5 and 25 years old (range) are typically pretty accurate within one or two years of their age,” Kaufman reportedly said during a briefing with reporters.

Roblox has come under increased scrutiny from lawmakers and law enforcement officials in recent years, partly because it allows young users to create accounts and interact with others. 

Attorneys General from Louisiana and Kentucky filed separate lawsuits against the company, accusing Roblox of harming children earlier this year. Florida’s Attorney General has filed a criminal subpoena for information about the company, calling the platform a “breeding ground for predators.” 

Alongside the increased political pressure, Roblox also faces criticism from advocates, parents and law enforcement officials. 

The platform has, for years, been accused of allowing content not appropriate for children and endangering them. In April, NBC News reported that a California man had been arrested for kidnapping a 10-year-old boy he met on the platform.