Why Roblox is Changing Chat: Safety First

The popular gaming platform Roblox has introduced a major change in how players chat and it’s all about making the space safer. Starting late 2025, Roblox now requires users to go through an age-check before unlocking chat features.

Roblox says this change is meant to protect younger players from talking to much older users a move that comes after growing concern over online safety on the platform.

According to the company, many of the new rules and safety updates are meant to create a friendlier, age-appropriate environment for everyone.

How Does the New Age Check Work? It’s Simple

To use chat on Roblox now, a user must either:

• Take a short video selfie for what’s called Facial Age Estimation the app asks you to look straight, then turn left and right. This helps estimate your age.

• Or if you’re 13 or older you can use a government-issued ID (passport, driving license, residency card) to verify your age instead.

Once the check is over, Roblox assigns you to an age group. The groups are roughly: under 9, 9-12, 13-15, 16-17, 18-20, 21+.

Then, you can only chat with people in your age group or close to it. This way, kids aren’t suddenly talking with adults.

Roblox says they only use the selfie or video once for age estimation then the images/videos are deleted.

What Roblox Says: Their View of the New System

On its official site, Roblox explains that this system is part of a “safer and more age-appropriate” communication plan. They call it a new “safety standard.”

They also highlight that the selfie process is meant to be quick, secure, and privacy-protective. Once processed (by a third-party vendor, according to them), the images/videos are deleted.

As an extra safeguard, there is something called “Trusted Connections” friends or family you already know in real life can chat across age groups, if verified.

Roblox claims they want to set an example for other online games and social platforms: to show that you can offer social features while keeping safety a top priority.

What Users and Parents Are Saying: Mixed Feelings, Big Concerns

Not everyone is happy. Many players especially teens and kids feel frustrated. For some, the age verification feels invasive. For others, the system seems buggy.

There are reports that the age-estimation sometimes misclassifies someone: making them appear younger or older than they are, and suddenly blocking chat with friends.

Because of that, some regular players feel the social side of Roblox is broken the spontaneous chatting and cross-age friendships that made Roblox fun are now limited.

Parents and safety advocates have also raised concerns. Some worry that forcing children (even under 9!) or their guardians to submit face scans or IDs, might pose privacy or security risks.

At the same time, some parents appreciate that Roblox is trying hard to prevent adults from talking privately to minors.

What It Means for Roblox’s Future: Safety vs. Social Freedom

This update marks a major shift for Roblox. For years, the platform has thrived because it’s a place where kids, teens, and older players meet, play games, build things and chat freely. Now, that free mix is limited.

On the positive side: the age-verification and chat limits may make it safer for younger players, especially with much public concern over grooming, exploitation, or inappropriate content.

Roblox says this is just one of many safety steps there are more controls, moderation, and parental tools.

On the negative side: the sense of community and openness may suffer. Some users feel they lost the social vibe that made Roblox fun. Some worry about privacy. Some worry about mistakes in age estimation that block friends from talking.

For parents, this change might be a relief but also a worry. Do they trust the face-scan system? Do they want their child’s image to be processed? Are they comfortable that strangers might be validated as “peers”?

Final Thoughts: A Step Forward, With Real Trade-offs

Roblox’s new age-based chat with selfie verification is a bold attempt to make the platform safer. It acknowledges real dangers young players face online and it tries to build in protections accordingly.

But safety comes with costs. The spontaneity, fun, and free-flowing social mix that defined Roblox may take a hit. Some players may feel alienated.

Parents may be unsure whether to trust biometric verification. And mistakes in the system may lead to unfair restrictions.

In short: this is a serious change. Roblox may become safer but different. For better or worse, the Roblox you knew may never feel the same again.