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Roblox Tightens Child Safety Amid Criticism, Restricts Under-13 Messaging and Adds Parental Controls

Nov 18, 2024, 12:22 PM

Roblox, the popular gaming platform, has announced significant updates to its safety systems and parental controls aimed at better protecting users under the age of 13. Starting today, users under 13 can no longer communicate with others outside of games, as direct messages to them are automatically blocked. Beginning early next year, these users will need parental permission to communicate within games. Parents can now use their own devices to manage how much time their children spend playing, restrict private messaging, and set the maturity level of accessible content. These changes come amid increased scrutiny and outside pressure over the platform's child safety practices, including accusations from Hindenburg Research that Roblox prioritizes growth over safety. The updates are part of Roblox's ongoing efforts to enhance child safety and provide parents with more control over their children's online experiences.