Show notes
This week is a deep dive special into safety on Roblox and the recent features rolling out to combat bad actors: age estimation, chat segregation, social links ban and developer restrictions in Studio.We talk through the background context on the tough safety challenges Roblox faces; the added pressure from media and lawsuits; and what we think of the platform changes.All three of us are Roblox developers, over 18 years old. You might have a different perspective or opinion on the topics covered - let us know in the comments to continue the discussion.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:38) Main Challenges - Text, voice & rated content(08:00) Pressure - News media & lawsuits(12:40) CHANGE #1 - Chat segregation by age group(19:24) CHANGE #2 - AI age estimation(28:08) Combining signals - Possible future changes(30:03) CHANGE #3 - Social links removed in-game(35:34) Preventing off-platform chat - Discord(40:04) CHANGE #4 - Studio restriction by age group(43:42) OutroSeason 3 Episode 9Sources:- Roblox Safety information— Learn about parental controls: https://corp.roblox.com/parental-controls— Safety and Privacy tools: https://corp.roblox.com/safety-tools— Understanding age checks: https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/39143693116052-Understanding-Age-Checks-on-Roblox- Age checks, AI age estimation, chat restrictions— Roblox blog: https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/11/roblox-requires-age-checks-limits-minor-and-adult-chat— Roblox Developer Forum: https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-checks-to-access-chat-studio-team-create-and-links-on-roblox/4079702— BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lp5pn9e1qo— New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/business/roblox-age-verification.html— The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/nov/18/roblox-facial-age-estimation-children-adults-chats-blocked— CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/18/tech/roblox-ai-age-verification-youth-safety- Reports of inaccurate age estimation— https://x.com/Stargenix19/status/1988085501803589980— https://x.com/xNekorii/status/1986211434133369331— https://x.com/imgarfie/status/1991026544576507927— https://x.com/BossyFrosty213/status/1991568781458698396— https://x.com/SilverSlayer908/status/1991134194047545621— https://x.com/wolfboyswagger/status/1991201412986925212- Interviews and podcasts— New York Times (Hard Fork): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/podcasts/hardfork-roblox-child-safety.html— Roblox Tech Talks - Safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckNAwhl-n0g— Roblox Tech Talks - Update on Our Safety Initiatives: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuPGe99m8zs- Prior reporting - incl. lawsuits and incidents— Schlep cease and desist: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-ceo-resign-cease-desist-schlep-b2807586.html— Attorney General Alliance: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/attorney-general-alliance-launches-new-initiative-to-protect-children-online-302598417.html— Kentucky AG lawsuit: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kentucky-attorney-general-russell-coleman-sues-roblox/— Louisiana AG lawsuit: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/15/us/louisiana-roblox-lawsuit-child-protection-hnk— Texas AG lawsuit: https://www.reuters.com/world/texas-sues-roblox-allegedly-concealing-safety-concerns-parents-2025-11-06/— Florida criminal subpoenas: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/florida-attorney-general-issues-subpoenas-roblox-over-child-safety-2025-10-20/— Restrictions by country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roblox#Restrictions_by_countryHosts:- Adam (BanTech): https://lastlevel.co.uk/adam- Fedor (LoadingL0n3ly): https://x.com/LoadingL0n3ly- Anthony (sublivion): https://www.roblox.com/users/44028290/profile----------------------------Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Visit https://lastlevel.co.uk/podcast for more.Join the Discord: https://discord.lastlevel.co.ukBeyond The Blox is produced by Seb Jensen for Last Level Studios.
