#Japan #Tokyo #Roblox #Roblox Kids #Roblox Select

Roblox Launches Age-Specific Accounts to Enhance Child Safety

In a significant move towards ensuring online safety for younger players, Roblox has officially launched two new accounts: Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, accessible from today in Japan and globally. This rollout follows limited testing in countries like Australia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand last month and aims to adapt the gaming experience to the evolving needs of users aged 5 to 15.

Roblox, an online platform with over 150 million users worldwide, is committed to providing a safe and engaging environment for children. The new accounts are tailored to cater to age-specific content access, chat settings, and parental controls, ensuring a customized experience for users. Matt Kaufman, Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer, emphasized the necessity of evolving online experiences to match the changing needs of children. “With Roblox Kids and Roblox Select, we are introducing age-based protective measures designed to support young users while offering parents enhanced tools for customizing their children’s experiences,” he stated.

Features of Roblox Kids and Roblox Select Accounts

• - Roblox Kids (Ages 5-8): This account comes with robust default safety measures. Users in this age group can access only games that have received minimal or mild content ratings based on Roblox's strict selection process. Chat functions are disabled by default, providing a safer environment for younger players.

• - Roblox Select (Ages 9-15): This account allows access to a broader array of games, rated up to moderate based on the same rigorous selection criteria. Chat settings are optimized according to age and geographic location, offering enhanced safety nets for all users under the age of 16.

Both account types will apply a comprehensive assessment framework that includes developer verification and AI-driven real-time scene assessments, ensuring ongoing content moderation and refined parental controls. This structured approach is aimed at creating a holistic safety net for younger users.

Transition Between Accounts

A unique feature of these accounts is the Account Progression System, which automatically transitions users to the next appropriate account as they reach certain ages. For instance, upon turning 9, a user will shift from Roblox Kids to Roblox Select, and upon reaching 16, they will transition to a standard Roblox account, ensuring a smoother gaming evolution as they grow.

Enhanced Parental Controls

To assist parents in navigating this new digital landscape, Roblox has significantly upgraded its parental controls. When linking their accounts with their child’s profile, parents can monitor game history and friend lists in real time. They can also control content ratings, communication settings, screen time, and monthly spending limits. Key new features include extending management permissions until their child turns 16 and the ability for parents to approve specific games outside the default settings based on their content.

Takuji Kakuta, the representative of the Roblox Global Parent Council in Japan, addressed the necessity for parents to correctly understand the new features to maximize their effectiveness. “In Japan, while Roblox is recognized by children, the understanding among adults still lags. For instance, the blue screen of the new Roblox Kids account serves as an intuitive visual cue for parents that their child is engaged in a safe mode. We need to work together to find proactive ways to use this platform not just as a game but as an educational resource for fostering digital safety literacy between parents and children.”

Ongoing Commitment to Safety

The launch of these new age-specific accounts marks an important step for Roblox in its commitment to safeguarding younger users. Following the rollout, any user aged under 16 who has not verified their age will experience restrictions on accessing standard Roblox accounts and chat functionalities. Existing measures to prevent the sharing of personal information in chat also remain enforced, including tightened controls on sharing links and media to ensure a safer interaction environment.

Moving forward, Roblox will start transitioning to the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) standards for content ratings, aligning with global best practices.

These updates reflect Roblox’s unwavering commitment to providing age-appropriate protective measures that grow with users, while also offering parents heightened transparency and control in promoting a secure and positive online environment for children.

For further insights, visit the official Roblox safety center.

About Roblox

Roblox provides an engaging platform for creativity and play, allowing users worldwide to connect through countless experiences. Our vision is to rebuild social connections in a thoughtful and positive way, aspiring to be an innovative company that deepens bonds and supports economic growth globally. For more information, visit corp.roblox.com.