In response to mounting concerns over child safety, popular gaming platform Roblox announced significant restrictions on social features for users under 13 years old. The new safety measures will take effect starting November 18, 2023.
The platform will prevent pre-teen users from accessing "social hangout" experiences where players primarily communicate through text or voice chat. Additionally, features allowing free-form drawing on virtual whiteboards and chalkboards will be restricted for this age group.
Beginning December 3rd, children under 13 will also be blocked from accessing unrated gaming experiences on the platform. Game creators must complete a verification questionnaire and ensure their content meets Roblox's age-appropriate standards to remain accessible to younger players.
These changes follow recent media reports highlighting child safety issues on the platform, including concerns about potential exploitation. Bloomberg recently published an investigation titled "Roblox's Pedophile Problem," prompting increased scrutiny of the platform's protection measures.
A Roblox spokesperson stated the company implemented over 30 safety improvements this year, with more planned. The gaming giant emphasized its commitment to transparency with its developer community while prioritizing user protection.
These restrictions complement Roblox's October announcement of enhanced parental controls and specialized accounts for pre-teen users, demonstrating the platform's ongoing efforts to create a safer gaming environment for young players.
The new policies reflect growing pressure on gaming platforms to implement stronger safeguards against potential abuse while maintaining engaging experiences for their younger audience.