Roblox, the widely-used online gaming platform, has unveiled a series of new safety features aimed at users aged 13 to 18. These initiatives include the introduction of Trusted Connections, advanced age estimation technology, enhanced privacy controls, and comprehensive tools for parental oversight.
Introduction of Trusted Connections
In a significant update, Roblox is rebranding its Friends feature to Connections and launching Trusted Connections. This new feature allows teenagers to engage in more open and expressive communication with individuals they know and trust. By establishing Trusted Connections, users can participate in chats without the standard content filters, facilitating a more natural interaction experience.
Ryan Ebanks, Senior Product Manager at Roblox, emphasized the importance of this development: Users the system determines are 13+ will get access to more expressive chat features with their Trusted Connections. This additional freedom reduces the incentive for teens to move interactions off-platform where they may be exposed to greater risk.
To ensure safety, conversations between Trusted Connections are proactively monitored for critical issues, such as grooming behaviors. Additionally, parents have the capability to view their teen’s list of Trusted Connections, providing an added layer of oversight.
Implementation of Age Estimation Technology
Access to the Trusted Connections feature requires users to verify their age through Roblox’s new age estimation technology. This process involves taking a selfie video, which the system analyzes to estimate the user’s age. A successful estimation confirming the user is at least 13 years old grants access to Trusted Connections. If the system cannot verify the age with high confidence, the user’s age remains unconfirmed. In such cases, users have the option to confirm their age through ID verification.
This age estimation technology is part of Roblox’s broader strategy to tailor user experiences based on age, ensuring that content and features are appropriate for different age groups.
Enhanced Privacy Controls for Teens
Roblox is also introducing new privacy tools designed to give teens greater control over their online presence. Users can now manage who can see their online status, choosing from options such as everyone, just their Connections, followers, or no one. Additionally, teens can set specific time periods during which they will not receive push notifications from Roblox, allowing for uninterrupted personal time.
Parental Insights and Controls
To support parents in monitoring their teen’s activities on the platform, Roblox is rolling out a suite of tools that provide insights into their child’s usage. Parents can now:
– View their teen’s list of Connections and Trusted Connections.
– Monitor the amount of time their teen spends on Roblox and specific games.
– Receive notifications about certain transactions made by their teen on the platform.
Dina Lamdany, Senior Product Manager at Roblox, highlighted the user-friendly nature of these tools: We know that parents are extremely busy, and so we’ve designed these to really be quick at-a-glance insights that parents can hopefully fit into their busy schedules.
Context and Background
These updates come in response to increasing scrutiny over Roblox’s handling of child safety. In April, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a subpoena to Roblox following reports that children were exposed to harmful material on the platform and that predatory adults were able to message minors. The newly announced features are part of Roblox’s ongoing efforts to address these concerns and enhance the safety and well-being of its younger user base.
Conclusion
By introducing Trusted Connections, implementing age estimation technology, enhancing privacy controls, and providing comprehensive parental insights, Roblox is taking significant steps to create a safer and more controlled environment for its teenage users. These measures aim to balance the desire for open communication with the necessity of protecting young users from potential online risks.
