‘Fox & Friends’ Exclusive: Roblox CEO Reveals New Safety Measures for Kids
Roblox co-founder and CEO Dave Baszucki has announced updated safety measures, introducing Fox & Friends Kids Accounts and Select Accounts. These changes address concerns surrounding lawsuits and predators, focusing on essential aspects such as age verification, content filtering, and stringent communication controls. Baszucki emphasized that Roblox maintains a “zero tolerance” stance towards malicious activities, incorporating safety features by default, while also allowing parents to tailor chat settings for their kids.
With more than 144 million daily active users, Roblox, primarily comprised of children and teens, creates a unique environment for gaming, content creation, and social interaction. This is why the new changes, coming in early June, are so crucial.
Roblox is rolling out two distinct account types tailored to children’s ages, allowing for a more age-appropriate gaming experience. The core idea focuses on structure: rather than a single vast platform, Roblox will create separate environments for different age groups. This means as children grow, their access to content, chat capabilities, and parental controls will adapt accordingly.
Roblox Kids and Roblox Select Accounts
The platform segregates young users into two categories with unique experiences and rules.
Roblox Kids (ages 5-8)
This is a highly controlled environment, crafted for younger children who need stricter boundaries.
- Access is restricted to games rated for minimal or mild content.
- All games must pass a thorough three-step review process.
- Chat features are disabled by default.
- Visual design is clear, aiding parents in recognizing account types.
The intention is straightforward: children experience a limited version of Roblox, free from harmful content and without any communication options.
Roblox Select (ages 9-15)
Users in this group have more freedom yet still face certain limitations.
- Access includes games rated up to medium level.
- Games undergo the same rigorous screening process.
- Chat settings remain on by default in most areas.
- Visual indicators help illustrate account types.
At this stage, Roblox assumes that users are prepared for a broader range of experiences, while still incorporating filtering measures.
Game Selection Criteria
Not every game makes the cut. Roblox is implementing an ongoing evaluation system working in the background.
1) Developer Verification
Creators must verify their identities, activate two-step security, and hold a Roblox Plus subscription.
2) Real-Time Evaluation
New games are first tested by older users age 16 and above. Roblox examines how these games perform and reviews feedback before allowing access to younger players.
3) Content Eligibility Check
Games receive maturity ratings like “Minimal,” “Mild,” and “Moderate.” Certain types, such as social hangouts and free-form drawing, are automatically restricted for younger users. This approach melds AI moderation, human review, and actual gameplay data.
Age Checks Affect Entire Experience
Roblox is extending its age verification system, which was introduced earlier this year, to include chat functionalities.
- Children under 9 will use Roblox Kids accounts.
- Users aged 9 to 15 will have Roblox Select accounts.
- Standard accounts will be standard for users aged 16 and higher.
Stricter restrictions apply to users yet to verify their ages; they can only access lower-rated games and cannot use chat features. Once they are verified, they’ll automatically be shifted to the appropriate account type.
Automatic Account Updates
There’s no need for manual adjustments as children age.
- At age 9, they will transition from Kids to Select accounts.
- At 16, users shift to standard accounts.
This seamless transition aims to ease parental concerns while keeping adequate protections in place at each stage.
Improved Parental Controls
Roblox is enhancing parent capabilities.
- Block games until age 15.
- Children under 15 can handle their direct chat settings.
- Authorize access to various games beyond default limits.
- View which games kids are playing and who they’re interacting with.
These features provide parents with more direct control rather than relying only on broader filters.
Global Content Rating Alignment
Later this year, Roblox will align with the International Age Rating Union framework, collaborating with systems like ESRB in the U.S. and PEGI in Europe. This aims to create clearer and more consistent content assessments across regions.
Importance for Families
This update fundamentally alters how Roblox functions. Families will no longer need to frequently adjust settings; instead, the platform will offer an age-appropriate experience from the outset. It reflects a growing trend in technology where safety features are integrated into products from the start.
“We’re excited to assist families in staying digitally safe,” said Larry Magid, CEO of ConnectSafely, an organization dedicated to helping families navigate the digital landscape.
“By merging age verification, enhanced creator accountability, and improved parental controls, Roblox is setting higher standards for protecting young users while ensuring engaging online experiences.”
Roblox is not without its risks; it’s almost impossible for any platform to be entirely safe. However, this new structure strengthens how kids interact with content and others on the platform, making life easier for parents—and tailoring experiences more closely to the realities kids face. The larger question remains: could this approach become standard across other gaming and social platforms? If such experiences were shaped based on age from the outset, would it enhance safety or limit children’s avenues for exploration and learning online?
