Key Takeaways
- Roblox will launch two new account tiers in early June: Roblox Kids (ages 5 to 8) and Roblox Select (ages 9 to 15), each with age-specific content access and communication defaults.
- All communication will be disabled by default for Roblox Kids accounts, and game access will be limited to titles rated Minimal or Mild that pass a three-step evaluation process.
- Developers must complete ID verification, enable two-step verification, and maintain a Roblox Plus subscription to have games included in under-16 catalogs.
- Roblox will begin transitioning to the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) framework later this year, aligning with region-specific standards like ESRB and PEGI.
- Parents will gain a new granular game approval tool and retain the ability to block individual games and manage chat settings through age 15.
Two New Account Tiers Split the Under-16 Experience
Roblox is restructuring how its youngest users interact with the platform. Starting in early June, users ages 5 to 8 will be automatically assigned to Roblox Kids accounts, while users ages 9 to 15 will move into Roblox Select accounts. Age is determined through Roblox’s global age-check technology or through a verified parent.
Both account types will connect users to dynamically updated game catalogs containing thousands of titles. Roblox Kids accounts will be restricted to games carrying Minimal or Mild content maturity labels. Roblox Select accounts will expand access to include games rated up to Moderate. Each account type will carry a distinct visual treatment across the app to make the tier immediately recognizable.
Users who have not completed an age check will default to the most restrictive tier: Minimal or Mild games only, with all communication features unavailable. Once an age check is completed, users will automatically move into the appropriate account type. Accounts will also progress automatically as users age, shifting from Roblox Kids to Roblox Select at age 9 and from Roblox Select to a standard Roblox account at age 16.
For users 16 and older who have already completed an age check, nothing changes.
A Three-Step Selection Process for Under-16 Content
The structural change goes beyond account labels. Roblox is layering a continuous evaluation process on top of its existing moderation systems to determine which games appear in the under-16 catalogs. The platform already runs AI asset scanning, user report review, and real-time multimodal moderation across all content. The new process adds three additional criteria.
First, developer verification. Creators whose games will be eligible for the younger catalogs must complete ID verification, enable two-step verification, and hold an active Roblox Plus subscription. Second, real-time behavioral evaluation. Roblox will monitor how users 16 and older interact with new games and review user reports to assess whether content is suitable for younger audiences. Third, content maturity rating. Each game will receive a Minimal, Mild, or Moderate label, and categories like social hangouts, free-form drawing games, and content featuring sensitive issues will be excluded from both Roblox Kids and Roblox Select by default.
Roblox says it expects the vast majority of popular games played by under-16 users to be available at launch, though the exact titles and features will vary by region.
Transition to Global Ratings Standards
Later in 2026, Roblox plans to begin adopting the IARC framework, the internationally recognized system for assigning content ratings to digital games and apps. This would align the platform with region-specific rating bodies like the ESRB in the United States and PEGI in Europe and the U.K.
The shift is notable because it moves Roblox toward a standardized, externally validated ratings structure rather than relying solely on its proprietary content maturity labels. For families, the practical effect would be ratings that reflect local cultural norms and are recognizable across other digital storefronts and app marketplaces. For the platform, it signals a move toward alignment with the regulatory frameworks that governments and child safety advocates have increasingly pointed to as best practice.
Expanded Parental Controls Through Age 15
Alongside the new account tiers, Roblox is extending several parental controls that previously expired at younger ages. Parents will now be able to block specific individual games and manage direct chat settings through age 15.
A new addition is granular game approval, which allows parents to unlock access to specific titles that fall outside their child’s default account catalog. This is a two-way lever: parents can restrict beyond the defaults by blocking games, or they can expand access by approving individual titles.
Roblox’s parental tools already include content rating management, screen-time and spending limits, and visibility into which games a child plays and who their friends are. The update keeps those tools in place while pushing the control window further into the teen years.
What This Means for Youth-Facing Platforms and Developers
Roblox’s move reflects a broader pattern across digital platforms: age-segmented experiences with layered moderation, verified developer requirements, and expanded parental tooling. The combination of age-based account defaults, a continuous game evaluation pipeline, and plans to adopt IARC ratings creates a framework that goes well beyond a simple content filter.
For developers building on Roblox, the new requirements raise the bar for reaching the under-16 audience. ID verification, two-step authentication, and a paid Roblox Plus subscription are now table stakes for inclusion in the youngest user catalogs. Games will also face ongoing behavioral monitoring and content evaluation, not just a one-time review.
For operators and brands in the youth sports space, the rollout is worth watching. Roblox remains one of the largest digital platforms where kids ages 5 to 15 spend significant time. Any tightening of content access, communication defaults, or developer requirements reshapes how brands and sports organizations reach young audiences through the platform. The shift to IARC ratings could also set a precedent that extends to other youth-facing digital environments.
Roblox framed the update as part of its goal to become “the world’s healthiest platform for users of all ages,” with CEO David Baszucki authoring the announcement. The exact ages, games, and features associated with the new accounts will vary by region, and parents will have the ability to correct a child’s age if needed.
Source: Roblox Newsroom, David Baszucki, April 13, 2026
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