Roblox age check is now mandatory for anyone who wants to use chat features on the platform, answering growing concerns about safety and age-appropriate interactions. Users searching for how Roblox chat works in 2026, whether age verification is required, and what happens after verification will find clear changes rolling out globally. The company confirms that chat access is now locked behind an age estimation process in all regions where chat is available. Once verified, players are automatically placed into age-based chat groups. Roblox says the move is designed to protect younger users while keeping social features intact. The update follows months of scrutiny from parents, regulators, and lawmakers. It also reflects a broader shift across social platforms toward stronger age controls.
Roblox expands age verification worldwide
Roblox first announced the age check requirement in November 2025, with early testing in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. As of January 2026, the system has expanded to all supported regions, making age verification unavoidable for chat access. Users attempting to send messages are prompted to complete the process before continuing. According to Roblox, the global rollout ensures consistent safety standards across its massive user base. The platform hosts tens of millions of daily active players, many of them children and teens. Company officials say delaying global enforcement would have created uneven protections. This change places Roblox among platforms taking a stricter stance on age-aware communication.
How Roblox’s facial scan age check works
The Roblox age check relies on facial scanning technology provided by Persona, the same service used by Reddit. Users briefly scan their face using their device camera, allowing the system to estimate age without storing biometric data long-term. Roblox states that the scan is used only to determine age range, not identity. If the system produces an incorrect result, users can appeal through official ID verification. Parents also retain the ability to update a child’s age using parental controls. Roblox emphasizes that privacy safeguards are built into the process. Transparency around data handling has become a key part of the rollout messaging.
Chat access now depends on age groups
Once age verification is complete, Roblox automatically assigns users to specific age groups for chat. Players can communicate with others in their own group, as well as adjacent age brackets. For example, users aged 9–12 can chat with under-9 and 13–15 groups by default. This structure is designed to reduce exposure to much older users while maintaining social interaction. Children under 9 must have parental consent to use chat features at all. Roblox says these boundaries are flexible enough to keep gameplay social but controlled. The system reflects growing industry pressure to design age-aware online spaces.
Adoption rates show strong early compliance
Roblox reports that tens of millions of users have already completed the age check process. In early test regions, more than 50 percent of daily active users verified their age within weeks of rollout. The company expects participation to climb quickly as chat restrictions take full effect worldwide. Users who avoid verification will still be able to play games but without chat access. Roblox believes this incentive encourages compliance without forcing users off the platform. The data suggests that most players are willing to verify if it preserves core social features. High adoption rates may influence how other gaming platforms approach age checks.
Legal pressure and child safety concerns loom large
The Roblox age check arrives amid mounting legal challenges related to child safety. Several U.S. states, including Texas, have filed lawsuits accusing the platform of failing to adequately protect young users. Regulators have increasingly focused on how online platforms manage communication between minors and adults. Roblox maintains that the new system directly addresses these concerns. Company leaders say age-based chat is only one part of a broader safety strategy. Future updates may include more granular controls and transparency tools. For Roblox, the stakes extend beyond compliance to long-term trust with families.
What this means for Roblox’s future
This update signals a turning point in how Roblox balances openness with responsibility. By tying chat access to verified age groups, the platform is reshaping its social ecosystem. Developers and players alike may notice shifts in how communities form and interact. While some users may see the process as friction, Roblox frames it as necessary evolution. Industry analysts expect similar systems to appear across gaming and social platforms in 2026. Roblox’s scale makes this rollout especially influential. The success or failure of the age check could redefine safety standards across online gaming.
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