Roblox Introduces Facial Age Verification, Results Vary Widely
Roblox has kicked off the global launch of its facial age-check system, which is mandatory for players who wish to use in-game chat. The rollout has faced several hiccups, with some players experiencing significant age miscalculations, others finding ways around the system, and many outright rejecting the verification process due to privacy issues. Initially introduced in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands in early December, the age verification will now expand to all regions where chat is available. This AI-driven age check estimates a user’s age by analyzing their facial features and must be completed to access chat functionalities. Players over 13 can alternatively verify their age using an ID.
The estimated ages help Roblox restrict chat access based on age ranges—like allowing a 13-year-old to chat with users aged nine to 17, while a 16-year-old can connect with those aged 13 to 20. This new measure aims to protect younger players from potential predators, especially amid growing scrutiny from lawmakers, media, and concerned parents. However, users have quickly demonstrated how easily the system can be circumvented. Reports have surfaced of Roblox accounts verified as young as nine being sold online, and Roblox has acknowledged that some parents are verifying ages for their children, inadvertently placing those accounts in the 21+ category.
Social media is buzzing with videos of players employing various tactics to bypass the age check, such as using virtual avatars, celebrity photos, or even adding facial hair and wrinkles to their images. Last year, when Discord and Reddit introduced age verification in select areas, users discovered that images of Norman Reedus from Death Stranding 2 could trick certain AI facial age checks. Alongside those attempting to game the system, many players trying to engage legitimately have found the AI’s age estimations to be frequently inaccurate. Numerous social media posts highlight users claiming to be over 18 being categorized as 13-15, while others report younger siblings being placed in older age brackets.
Some players have chosen to forgo the age verification entirely, leaving chat features disabled due to concerns about the AI’s privacy implications. YouTuber Schlep, who focuses on safety in Roblox, has warned that Persona, the company behind Roblox’s age-verification service, is currently facing a lawsuit over privacy and data safety issues. Overall, the community is not pleased with the new policy, with some opting to protest within the game. In a blog post regarding the new system, Roblox stated that “more than 50% of daily active users” in the initial rollout regions have completed age verification—a relatively low figure, especially considering that over 40% of players have chosen to forgo chat features for more than a month. Whether this age check will effectively address safety concerns on the platform remains uncertain.
