Roblox Introduces Trusted Connections and Age Estimation to Protect Teens
Teen safety on Roblox has become a growing concern among parents and lawmakers. With millions of active teen users on its platform, Roblox is taking a proactive step by rolling out new safeguards for teens, including advanced age estimation technology and a feature called Trusted Connections. These updates aim to give teens more freedom to communicate with real-life friends while ensuring their digital interactions are secure and appropriate. The move comes as part of Roblox’s broader commitment to safety and privacy, especially after increasing pressure from government officials and concerned parents.
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Trusted Connections Give Teens More Freedom—With Safety First
The most prominent update Roblox is launching is Trusted Connections, which allows users aged 13–17 to connect and communicate more freely with people they know in real life. Traditionally, Roblox filters all text and voice chats to prevent exposure to inappropriate content. With this new feature, teens can enjoy unfiltered communication—but only with verified, trusted users. These users must be connected through a real-world relationship and verified using a unique QR code system.
To access this feature, teens must first confirm their age through Roblox’s new age estimation technology, which uses a selfie video to verify users are at least 13 years old. If a user fails the automatic estimation process, they still have the option to verify their age with a government-issued ID. This added layer of age verification is essential in ensuring that Trusted Connections remain safe and only available to actual teens.
The system also gives parents more control and insight. Parents can view which users are marked as Trusted Connections, giving them a transparent view of their teen's online interactions. Roblox emphasizes that conversations between trusted users are still proactively monitored for critical harm—like grooming or exploitative behavior—while offering a more natural and expressive chat experience for verified teens.
Age Estimation Technology Powers a Safer, Age-Appropriate Experience
To make sure users only access features meant for their age group, Roblox is expanding the use of age estimation technology across its entire platform. Once a user confirms they are over 13, they can unlock additional content and chat capabilities. This AI-powered verification tool uses facial recognition from a short selfie video to estimate a user's age. If there’s any doubt, users can follow up with official ID verification.
Importantly, unfiltered communication between adults and teens remains blocked by default, unless there’s proof of a preexisting real-world connection, verified through a secure QR code. This eliminates the risk of strangers posing as peers and reinforces the protective barrier Roblox is building around its teenage users.
Roblox is clearly positioning this age estimation tool as more than just a safety measure—it's the foundation of a personalized, age-appropriate experience. By identifying a user's age with high accuracy, the platform can customize games, features, and social interactions to match what’s safe and suitable. This marks a big step in Roblox’s plan to evolve into a more responsible social-gaming ecosystem.
New Privacy Tools Put Teens in Control
Alongside Trusted Connections and age estimation, Roblox has introduced enhanced privacy tools for teens to help them manage their digital lives better. Teens now have full control over who can see their online status. Whether they want this information visible to all users, just their Connections, only their followers, or no one at all—it’s entirely up to them.
Additionally, Roblox now offers a notification silence feature, allowing teens to set specific windows of time when they won’t receive push notifications from the app. This small but powerful tool encourages healthier digital habits, helping teens focus during school, family time, or sleep without being bombarded by app alerts.
Together, these features align with Roblox’s ongoing mission to balance freedom and safety. The privacy settings empower teens to make choices that suit their individual comfort levels, while giving parents peace of mind that the platform is actively reducing potential risks. As the online safety conversation continues to evolve, Roblox is positioning itself as a leader by investing in smart, AI-driven tools that prioritize teen safety without compromising user experience.
Roblox Responds to Safety Concerns with Stronger Protections
Roblox’s latest updates—including Trusted Connections, age estimation, and custom privacy controls—represent a meaningful shift toward more teen-focused safety solutions. These changes aren't just about ticking boxes; they’re a direct response to increasing scrutiny from regulators and families who expect more responsible moderation on youth-centered platforms.
By empowering teens to safely interact with their real-life peers, protecting them from unsolicited adult contact, and giving them tools to manage their privacy, Roblox is reinforcing its role as a safe digital playground. The use of AI and biometric tools also signals how modern platforms can evolve with technology to meet new challenges in online safety.
As Roblox continues to grow and attract millions of young users globally, these safeguards will play a crucial role in shaping a healthier, more trustworthy space for creative social interaction.
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