Roblox introduces new child-safety rules to protect young users
Roblox reveals new safety measures to protect children under 13, including account types and enhanced parental controls.
In response to growing concerns about child safety, Roblox has introduced a range of new rules and enhanced parental controls aimed at safeguarding children under the age of 13. The changes, set to roll out next month, will include stricter regulations on chat features, content access, and monitoring tools for parents to manage their child's online activities.
Roblox, a massively popular online gaming platform, has previously faced scrutiny over its child safety measures. To address these concerns, the company has outlined several important updates. These were shared in an email to parents and highlighted key changes that aim to better protect younger users.
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New Roblox safety features explained
One of the most significant updates is the introduction of a new type of account, designed to give parents and guardians greater oversight of their children’s interactions on the platform. This feature allows adults to see who their child is communicating with within the game, offering a clearer view of their online behaviour.
Additionally, the company is tightening controls around content maturity. Children under 13 will now need parental permission to access certain chat features, while those under nine will need approval to engage with games that feature “moderate violence or moderate crude humour.”
Parents will also benefit from enhanced parental controls, which can now be managed remotely from their own devices. This will include insights into their child’s usage, allowing parents to monitor and adjust what content their child is accessing on Roblox.
Juliet Chaitin-Lefcourt, Roblox’s head of product communications, emphasised that these changes reflect the company’s commitment to providing a safe and secure platform for its youngest users. “We're dedicated to making Roblox one of the safest online environments for children, and these updates are a critical part of that effort,” she said.
Earlier this month, Roblox was hit with a damning report by Hindenburg Research, which described the platform as a “paedophile’s paradise,” exposing children to grooming, explicit content, and abusive language. While Roblox has strongly disputed these allegations, stating that inappropriate content is taken "extremely seriously", the report has fuelled ongoing concerns about child safety in the digital world.
Related: Instagram launches new ‘Teen Accounts’ to keep young users safe
Roblox’s new safety measures reflect a growing recognition of the responsibility online platforms have in protecting young users. While these changes are seen as a positive step forward, it is clear that more work will be needed to address all concerns.
As the digital world continues to evolve, parents can find some comfort in the fact that companies like Roblox are actively responding to the need for safer online spaces. For now, these new tools will help parents better manage and monitor their children’s activities on the platform, offering greater peace of mind in today’s tech-driven world.
The road ahead will likely involve further updates and improvements, but for now, Roblox’s latest efforts signal a move towards a more secure online experience for young players.
Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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