WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Roblox, the popular online gaming platform used by millions of children and some adults, is launching facial age checks to use the app’s chat feature.
Roblox announced the safety change on Tuesday to better protect children and keep predators away.
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To use the chat feature, players will be required to verify how old they are to make sure kids are talking with other kids their own age, not adults.
“We’re the first platform ever to mandate that if you want to use communication tools on Roblox, if you want to communicate on Roblox, you must facial age estimate,” said Tami Bhaumik, the vice president of civility & partnerships at Roblox. “You can still come on to Roblox and play, but you won’t have access to chat.”
Here’s how it’ll work: Players will use their phone camera to do a quick scan of their face. Then, AI technology estimates the player’s age.
“We are very, very sure that the age estimation is accurate within two years,” Bhaumik said. “Once you’re put into an age bucket, you’re only able to communicate with kids, or people of your own age.”
The safety measure comes as Roblox faces criticism and dozens of lawsuits claiming the gaming platform makes it easy for predators to groom and exploit children.
“We reject those claims fully,” Bhaumik said. “We’re listening and we’re looking at all of the chat messages at all times. Bad actors are out in the world and bad actors are everywhere.”
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, is skeptical.
“I think anything helps, but I think that child predators are ppl that find ways around systems 1os
For Roblox player Irene Johnson, 15, she’s well aware of the potential risks.
“If certain people start to ask certain questions like where you live or how old are you, or some inappropriate questions, you should very much tell an adult, or try to report that account they’re using,” Johnson said.
The new safety measure will be rolled out in the U.S. starting in January.
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