Roblox Launches Age Estimation for Better Safety

Published Date : 7/18/2025 

Roblox has integrated facial age estimation technology from Persona to introduce its Trusted Connections feature, aiming to enhance safety and communication for users aged 13 to 17. 

Roblox, the popular online game platform that allows users to create and share games, has implemented a new system called Trusted Connections. This system integrates facial age estimation (FAE) technology provided by Persona to help confirm users' ages.

“We’re investing in age estimation technology to help confirm users’ ages,” states a post from Roblox. “Trusted Connections can be unlocked through age estimation, and users who are connected through Trusted Connections can communicate more freely in chat and voice with people they know and trust. This additional freedom to chat more openly with trusted connections reduces the incentive for teens to move interactions off platform, where they may be exposed to greater risk.”

Roblox has faced criticism from digital behavior experts for what they describe as a “troubling disconnect between Roblox’s child-friendly appearance and the reality of what children experience on the platform.” In response, the company has introduced additional parental controls and now offers Trusted Connections.

“Users 13 to 17 who have their age confirmed can add each other as Trusted Connections. In addition, teens (13 to 17) can only add users 18+ who they know in real life as Trusted Connections, through a QR scan or Contact Importer,” explains Roblox.

Persona’s age assurance technology, which Reddit also recently integrated, is a prerequisite for accessing Trusted Connections. The system uses a video selfie matched against Persona’s datasets to estimate age. Those determined to be under 13, or whose age the system cannot estimate with high confidence, will not have access to the program.

Looking ahead, Roblox envisions using age estimation platform-wide to support user access to age-appropriate features and content. “Users always have a choice: age estimation is optional, and those over 13 can still verify with an ID and, in the future, verified parental consent,” Roblox emphasizes.

Persona launched its facial age estimation in partnership with Paravision in late 2023. The technology aims to provide a reliable and ethical method of age verification, addressing concerns about user safety and privacy.

While platforms like Roblox see the value in age assurance, the social media industry at large continues to push against legislation that requires it. NetChoice, an industry lobby group, has been successful in challenging such laws in U.S. courts. However, a recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has allowed Mississippi’s HB 1126, which includes age verification provisions, to go into effect.

“We are very disappointed in the Fifth Circuit’s decision to let Mississippi’s censorship law go into effect,” says Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center. “We are considering all available options. NetChoice will continue to fight against this egregious infringement on access to fully protected speech online. Parents – not the government – should determine what is right for their families.”

NetChoice argues that HB 1126 violates the First Amendment and could lead to unintentional censorship of protected speech. Despite these concerns, many parents are more worried about the potential negative impacts of social media on their children’s well-being.

New America, a liberal U.S. think tank, has released a brief on the legal and privacy challenges of age verification. The brief offers four considerations for building a digital ecosystem that supports privacy-preserving age verification and four recommendations for industry and policymakers.

“Delineate the appropriate instances for strict age verification,” it suggests. “Determine the roles of different entities in the age verification process and how these entities establish trust. Coordinate industry action through shared standards and protocols. Protect user privacy, security, and rights throughout implementations.”

The recommendations include:

- Age verification requirements should be narrowly tailored to limit burdens on freedom of expression and access to protected content.

- Technical solutions for age verification should use best-in-class privacy-preserving techniques.

- Age verification mandates should be applied in the least restrictive and most tailored manner – at the service level.

- Age verification solutions and implementations should prioritize user choice and data security.

New America acknowledges that while age verification can improve safety, it also places burdens on user access and freedom of expression. The think tank endorses zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) as part of the potential solution but emphasizes that age verification should be limited to contexts where it is absolutely necessary.

Ultimately, the debate over age verification continues, with stakeholders on both sides arguing for their positions. Roblox’s Trusted Connections feature represents a step forward in balancing user safety and privacy. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the Trusted Connections feature on Roblox?

A: Trusted Connections is a new feature on Roblox that allows users aged 13 to 17 to communicate more freely with people they know and trust, after their age is confirmed through facial age estimation technology.

Q: How does the age estimation technology work on Roblox?

A: The age estimation technology, provided by Persona, uses a video selfie matched against datasets to estimate a user's age. Users who are confirmed to be 13 or older can unlock Trusted Connections.

Q: Why did Roblox introduce this feature?

A: Roblox introduced Trusted Connections to enhance user safety and reduce the risk of teens moving interactions off the platform, where they might be exposed to greater risks.

Q: Can users under 13 access the Trusted Connections feature?

A: No, users under 13 or those whose age cannot be estimated with high confidence will not have access to the Trusted Connections feature.

Q: What are the concerns raised by NetChoice regarding age verification laws?

A: NetChoice argues that age verification laws like Mississippi’s HB 1126 violate the First Amendment and could lead to unintentional censorship of protected speech online. 

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