Gaming platform Roblox announced on Tuesday, April 14, a new age-based account system and expanded parental controls for users under 16, a move that comes as Philippine authorities shift from a potential ban to stricter regulation of online gaming platforms.
The company said it will launch “Roblox Kids” accounts for users aged 5 to 8 and “Roblox Select” accounts for those aged 9 to 15 starting in June, aligning content access, communication settings, and parental controls with a user’s age.
Under the new system, younger users will be restricted to games with lower content maturity ratings, while communication features for those aged 5 to 8 will be disabled by default. Older minors will have broader access, but still within curated limits.
The update also introduces a continuous evaluation process for games accessible to users under 16, combining developer verification, content ratings, and real-time moderation.
Roblox said the changes build on earlier measures such as facial age checks for chat access, with more than half of its global users already completing verification.
“With the launch of Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, we are fundamentally shifting how games are discovered on our platform. Safety isn’t a static feature — it’s a journey that evolves as a child grows,” said Matt Kaufman, chief safety officer at Roblox.
“While no system is perfect, these age-adaptive accounts are designed to help remove the guesswork for parents and help align users’ experiences with their age.”
The rollout comes on the same day that Sen. Risa Hontiveros led a Senate inquiry into platforms like Roblox, pushing for measures such as mandatory age verification and stricter child safety standards.
Hontiveros has called for stronger accountability among digital gaming platforms, citing risks to children online.
Earlier this month, the government said it would not ban Roblox but would instead push for tighter safeguards and stronger monitoring mechanisms.
Authorities had previously warned the platform to improve its protections for minors, with discussions focusing on stricter content controls, reporting systems, and cooperation with law enforcement.
Roblox said it is also enhancing parental tools, allowing guardians to block or approve specific games, manage chat settings, and monitor children’s activity, including who they interact with and what games they play.
These controls will remain in place until users turn 16, giving parents greater visibility and control over their children’s use of the platform.
The company said it plans to adopt the International Age Rating Coalition framework later this year to standardize content ratings across regions.
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