Roblox Rolls Out Age-Gated Account Tiers to Shield Kids From Risky Content

A Three-Tier System Built on Age Verification

Roblox is rolling out a new account structure designed to cordon off younger users from adult content and risky interactions. The platform will automatically assign users to one of three account types based on age verification data: "Roblox Kids" (ages 5–9), "Roblox Select" (ages 9–15), and standard accounts for users 16 and older, with access to "Restricted Content" limited to those 18+. The rollout begins globally in June, following Roblox's January implementation of mandatory age checks for users seeking chat access. This represents a significant operational shift for a platform with hundreds of millions of players.

"Users aged five to nine will be assigned to a Roblox Kids account, and users aged nine to 15 will be put in a Roblox Select account."

Each tier comes with corresponding content restrictions. Kids accounts unlock only "Minimal" or "Mild" rated games—those featuring occasional mild violence, crude humor, or mild fear. Critically, chat will remain disabled by default for children under nine; parents can manually whitelist specific individuals their child can message. Select accounts grant access to "Moderate"-rated games and enable peer-to-peer chat within the same age band.

The Three-Layer Vetting Process

Roblox's new offering isn't simply a content filter—it requires developers to clear a three-step gauntlet before their games qualify for younger users. First comes developer verification, which imposes strict eligibility thresholds: developers under 16 must complete ID verification or link a parent account, enable two-step authentication, and maintain an active Roblox Plus subscription ($4.99/month, the company's newly launched premium tier that replaces its older Roblox Premium offering).

Next, Roblox recruits 16+ year-old users to beta-test candidate games, collect their feedback and incident reports, and flag potential rule violations. This crowd-sourced evaluation feeds into the platform's multimodal moderation system. Finally, games must satisfy specific gameplay criteria and carry the correct content maturity label. Parents retain override authority—they can approve individual games outside their child's default tier if, say, a younger sibling wants to join an older sibling in a restricted title.

"Both Roblox Kids and Roblox Select accounts will only include games that have passed Roblox's three-step screening criteria."

Responding to Mounting Legal Pressure

These changes arrive amid intensifying legal scrutiny. Attorneys general from Louisiana and Texas have filed lawsuits alleging that Roblox exposed minors to grooming, predatory behavior, and explicit sexual content. The new account structure and age-check mandate signal the company's attempt to demonstrate a credible child-safety posture and mitigate liability exposure.

The timing is strategic: by rolling out mandatory age verification and age-gated content tiers, Roblox creates a clearer separation between youth-facing and adult-facing experiences. The requirement that developers under 16 submit to ID verification and maintain parental oversight adds another layer of accountability. Roblox Plus's integration into the vetting process—developers must hold an active subscription to list games on Kids or Select accounts—also monetizes compliance, a move that may incentivize developer participation while generating incremental revenue during a period of legal strain.

For existing users, Roblox is offering a transition window to complete age verification before the June launch. This grace period aims to minimize churn while allowing the company to assign legacy accounts to appropriate tiers without mass disruption.