Roblox to Adopt IARC Age Ratings and Require Age Verification for In-Game Chat by End of 2025
Roblox is set to overhaul its content safety framework with two major initiatives: adopting IARC age ratings for all experiences on its platform and requiring age verification for in-game chat before the end of 2025. The changes were announced via the company’s newsroom update and represent a significant shift toward aligning Roblox’s safety policies with global gaming standards.
Under the new system, Roblox will replace its current maturity labels with region-specific age ratings commonly used in traditional video games: ESRB in North America, PEGI in Europe and the UK, USK in Germany, and GRAC in South Korea. This change comes through Roblox’s new partnership with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC). Patricia Vance, ESRB president and IARC chairperson, explained to GamesIndustry.biz that the new ratings system would provide parents with “trusted and familiar ratings” and give creators a proven framework for obtaining content classifications.
Roblox will also begin requiring users to verify their age before using in-game chat. The verification process will combine government ID checks, parental consent, and facial age estimation technology to move beyond the current system, which only relies on self-reported birthdates at account creation. Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman said this initiative builds on “over 100 safety initiatives” rolled out since the beginning of 2025 and strengthens the platform’s efforts to protect young users.
The timing of these announcements is no coincidence. Roblox has come under increasing scrutiny for failing to adequately safeguard children on its platform. A lawsuit filed last month by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murril accused the company of lax safety protocols that allowed predators to exploit minors. Roblox dismissed the lawsuit as “erroneous.” However, the company has faced mounting criticism, fueled by investigations such as Hindenburg Research’s report and Bloomberg’s 2024 exposé, which revealed that the platform recorded more than 13,000 child exploitation incidents in 2023.
Kaufman insisted that Roblox is “on a strong foundation” of protections but acknowledged the need to strengthen its safety architecture. These moves toward standardized age ratings and verified in-game communication reflect both mounting regulatory pressure and Roblox’s attempt to restore trust among parents, developers, and the broader public.
Do you think Roblox’s new measures will be enough to finally curb long-standing safety concerns, or will the platform need to go even further to protect its young user base?
