Roblox is using AI face scans to split chat by age

This week is a deep dive special into safety on Roblox and the recent features rolling out to combat bad actors: age estimation, chat segregation, social links ban and developer restrictions in Studio.

We talk through the background context on the tough safety challenges Roblox faces; the added pressure from media and lawsuits; and what we think of the platform changes.

All three of us are Roblox developers, over 18 years old. You might have a different perspective or opinion on the topics covered - let us know in the comments to continue the discussion.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:38) Main Challenges - Text, voice & rated content

(08:00) Pressure - News media & lawsuits

(12:40) CHANGE #1 - Chat segregation by age group

(19:24) CHANGE #2 - AI age estimation

(28:08) Combining signals - Possible future changes

(30:03) CHANGE #3 - Social links removed in-game

(35:34) Preventing off-platform chat - Discord

(40:04) CHANGE #4 - Studio restriction by age group

(43:42) Outro

Season 3 Episode 9

Sources:

- Roblox Safety information

— Learn about parental controls: https://corp.roblox.com/parental-controls

— Safety and Privacy tools: https://corp.roblox.com/safety-tools

— Understanding age checks: https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/39143693116052-Understanding-Age-Checks-on-Roblox

- Age checks, AI age estimation, chat restrictions

— Roblox blog: https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/11/roblox-requires-age-checks-limits-minor-and-adult-chat

— Roblox Developer Forum: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-checks-to-access-chat-studio-team-create-and-links-on-roblox/4079702

— BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lp5pn9e1qo

— New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/business/roblox-age-verification.html

— The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/nov/18/roblox-facial-age-estimation-children-adults-chats-blocked

— CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/18/tech/roblox-ai-age-verification-youth-safety

- Reports of inaccurate age estimation

— https://x.com/Stargenix19/status/1988085501803589980

— https://x.com/xNekorii/status/1986211434133369331

— https://x.com/imgarfie/status/1991026544576507927

— https://x.com/BossyFrosty213/status/1991568781458698396

— https://x.com/SilverSlayer908/status/1991134194047545621

— https://x.com/wolfboyswagger/status/1991201412986925212

- Interviews and podcasts

— New York Times (Hard Fork): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/podcasts/hardfork-roblox-child-safety.html

— Roblox Tech Talks - Safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckNAwhl-n0g

— Roblox Tech Talks - Update on Our Safety Initiatives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuPGe99m8zs

- Prior reporting - incl. lawsuits and incidents

— Schlep cease and desist: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-ceo-resign-cease-desist-schlep-b2807586.html

— Attorney General Alliance: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attorney-general-alliance-launches-new-initiative-to-protect-children-online-302598417.html

— Kentucky AG lawsuit: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kentucky-attorney-general-russell-coleman-sues-roblox/

— Louisiana AG lawsuit: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/15/us/louisiana-roblox-lawsuit-child-protection-hnk

— Texas AG lawsuit: https://www.reuters.com/world/texas-sues-roblox-allegedly-concealing-safety-concerns-parents-2025-11-06/

— Florida criminal subpoenas: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/florida-attorney-general-issues-subpoenas-roblox-over-child-safety-2025-10-20/

— Restrictions by country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roblox#Restrictions_by_country

Hosts:

- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam

- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly

- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile

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Beyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.