In the spirit of supporting the broader industry, we’re sharing some of the insights and findings that guided us in this process.
Privacy is paramount: Roblox’s values, such as Respect the Community, prioritize user privacy as well as safety. This is why images and video used for Facial Age Estimation are deleted immediately after they’ve been securely processed.
Build multilayered systems: Requiring age checks is one component of our larger multilayered approach to safety. We continually innovate, using the latest technology available to add additional layers. We complement this technology with strict policies and Community Standards. Roblox has never allowed image sharing through chat, and we use systems designed to proactively block attempts to exchange personally identifiable information between users who are not Trusted Connections. Advanced filters are designed to block or remove content that violates our standards. Our goal is to catch any problematic content before users see or interact with it. While no system (including Roblox) is perfect and we cannot prevent all objectionable content from appearing on Roblox, we do our best to detect and moderate content that violates our Community Standards and make it easy for users to report anything they do spot. We also strongly encourage parents to talk to their children about internet safety (including online grooming) and what their children are doing online.
Design for accuracy, support with appeals: Our age check process is designed for accuracy—the technology used by our vendor, Persona, has been tested and certified by third-party laboratories. The age estimation models used achieved a Mean Absolute Error of 1.4 years for users younger than 18, based on testing by the Age Check Certification Scheme in the U.K. It’s equally important to be prepared for cases that may need correcting—and for any backup methods to be tried and tested.
It’s important to build these redundant methods into the process from the beginning. For example, we have customer support systems and appeal processes for users to report inaccuracies. Users who want to appeal their age check can verify their age using alternative methods, including ID verification or parental controls that allow parents to update their child’s age. We do not stop once the age-check process is complete. Leveraging multiple signals, we are constantly evaluating user behavior to determine if someone is significantly older or younger than expected. In these situations we will soon begin asking users to repeat the age-check process.
Focus on transparency: Explaining the benefits of checking users’ ages is key to driving adoption. When users see and understand what they gain from an age-based system, that system can apply to all users on a platform. We implemented a voluntary age-check period with prompts that explain the benefits to users.
Today’s global rollout is a significant milestone. With each new innovation, we continue to expand our foundation for future innovations. In the coming months, we will require age checks for creators to access Roblox Studio’s real-time collaboration features and update our policies around Roblox communities. (The age groups we’re currently using for chat may not be identical to those used for Studio or other products.).
For more information about our multilayered approach to safety and how to complete the age check, visit the Roblox Safety Center and Help Center.
For more on the technology and philosophy behind these changes, watch our latest “Tech Talks” podcast:
