Roblox Requires Video Selfies for Child Age Verification

Roblox, the popular online gaming platform with over 150 million daily active users, will require children as young as nine to submit a video selfie for age verification starting next month, aiming to restrict communication between minors and adults to enhance child safety.

The policy, announced earlier this year, uses facial age estimation technology to assign users to one of six age groups: under nine, nine to 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, 18 to 20, or 21 and older. Once verified, users can only chat with others in their group or similar age bands. For instance, a 12-year-old would be limited to communicating with those under 16. The verification process, powered by third-party provider Persona, involves users following on-screen prompts with their device's camera. Images and videos are deleted immediately after processing, according to Roblox officials. Alternatives include submitting government-issued ID or obtaining verified parental consent, particularly for younger children without photo ID.

Enforcement begins in the first week of December in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, where children will be barred from private chats with unfamiliar adults. The requirement...