Roblox began deploying an age-verification system based on facial recognition in late 2025, applying to features that enable user-to-user chat, and the company says its security policies go beyond many platforms.

A formal review is underway by the government, with potential penalties and broader global policy implications for Roblox if safeguards fail.

The government’s review could bring financial penalties and additional digital duty-of-care obligations for large online platforms to prevent foreseeable harms.

Roblox states it welcomes opportunities to inform authorities about the safety measures it employs to protect its community.

Authorities note Roblox has disabled direct chats and voice features for Australian kids and report that about six in ten Australian daily active users have undergone age checks.

Australia’s communications minister and the eSafety commissioner have written to Roblox, urging an urgent meeting and expressing grave concern about child grooming and exposure to harmful material on the platform.

The minister has criticized Roblox for not adequately protecting minors from violent or graphic content and has highlighted ongoing safeguards concerns, seeking clarification and action.

The regulatory move follows Roblox’s 2025 safety updates aimed at reducing chat and inappropriate interactions for minors.

Roblox has introduced multiple safety measures, including a sensitive-issues content descriptor, age-gating for chats, restrictions on direct messaging for under-13s, and global age verification for chat access.

Over the past year, Roblox has expanded safety features such as facial age-estimation checks and protections limiting communication between minors and adults.

Lawmakers worldwide continue to scrutinize Roblox, fueling debates on further regulatory measures for platforms popular with young users.

Roblox is not named in Australia’s social media use-age law yet, but the government is pushing for stronger protections and considering new digital duty-of-care rules for large platforms.