Putting Roblox’s new child safety features to the test

Roblox’s updated child safety features, rolled out in June, now include stricter age-verification measures designed to protect young users from online predators. The platform’s new system requires users to perform a live face scan, moving their head side-to-side to confirm a real person is present, rather than an AI-generated image or photo. Eliza Jacobs, Roblox’s Vice President of Safety Product Policy, stated that these checks aim to prevent fraud by ensuring users are not manipulating the system with static images. Testing conducted by 8 News Now in Las Vegas demonstrated the system’s effectiveness. When attempting to bypass verification using printed childhood photos from multiple angles, the platform rejected all attempts. However, when a live human face was scanned, the system accurately estimated the user’s age—off by just one year—and granted access to adult content without requiring parental consent. During the test, the news team explored the platform’s chat features, where users shared personal details like locations, though some debated the risks. Roblox also allows users to report inappropriate content or behavior. Mayra Pacheco of Prevent Child Abuse Nevada praised the new measures as a positive step but cautioned parents to remain vigilant, questioning whether chat functionality is necessary at all. The safety enhancements follow Roblox’s $12 million settlement in April with Nevada’s attorney general over child safety concerns. The company now faces similar lawsuits in other states, including Texas and Kentucky, highlighting ongoing scrutiny over its protections for young users.