Roblox has introduced new features to enhance child safety on its platform. These tools include parental controls that allow parents to manage their child’s account remotely, view their friends list, and limit the amount of playtime.
In the near future, Roblox plans to implement measures that will prevent children under 13 from messaging others outside of games and restrict interactions within games to public messages only. Additionally, the platform will simplify content labels and automatically limit the games and experiences visible to children under nine.
These changes come as part of Roblox’s ongoing efforts to address safety concerns raised by critics and reports of child exploitation. A recent Bloomberg report revealed thousands of instances of child exploitation on the platform, leading to arrests of individuals who abused minors through the platform.
Despite previous criticisms, Roblox has committed to continuous improvement in child safety. The latest updates were developed based on internal research, interviews, usability studies, and consultations with experts from child safety and media literacy organizations. Partners such as the National Association for Media Literacy Education and the Family Online Safety Institute have praised Roblox’s efforts to enhance safety measures.
Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer, Matt Kaufman, emphasized the platform’s commitment to evolving safety systems with its growing user base. The record number of daily active users on Roblox, exceeding 88 million, highlights the need for proactive safety measures.
In response to user behavior concerns, Roblox recently removed a hotdog outfit from the game Dress To Impress after players used it inappropriately. This incident underscores the platform’s ongoing challenges in maintaining a safe and positive environment for its young audience.
Overall, Roblox’s latest safety features demonstrate its dedication to protecting children online and fostering a secure gaming environment. By implementing enhanced parental controls and content restrictions, Roblox aims to create a safer space for young users to enjoy gaming responsibly.