Roblox is now aiming to create a platform with content that is relevant to each age group. As users grow older, they will be granted access to more mature experiences, akin to the privileges that come with age in the physical world. Therefore, creators are now enabled to design experiences with mature themes and storylines, such as those found in TV shows or stand-up comedy, for users aged 17 and above. These experiences could contain elements of violence, blood, or crude humor, subject to the platform’s guidelines.
The decision comes as a natural evolution considering the platform’s user demographics. In 2022, 38% of Roblox’s daily active users were at least 17 years old, making it the fastest-growing age group on the platform. Consequently, Roblox now allows creators to develop content tailored explicitly for this demographic. However, this age-restricted content is accessible only to users who have validated their age to be 17 or above.
Earlier in the year, Roblox introduced its Experience Guidelines, which provided a framework for users to determine the age appropriateness of an experience. Initially, these guidelines covered experiences for “All Ages”, “9 and older”, and “13 and older”. Now, Roblox extends its guidelines to cover users who are “17 and older”.
Roblox intends to look out for the safety and civility of experiences and games, especially those intended for users aged 17 and older. To ensure this, Roblox employs extensive safety and moderation tools, including:
- Age Verification: Users wishing to consume or create age-restricted experiences must verify their age by uploading a selfie and a photo of a government-issued ID. This stringent age verification measure enhances the platform’s confidence in users’ age and identity.
- Parental Controls and Guidance: Roblox provides numerous tools to help users select age-appropriate content. Parents can restrict their children’s access to specific experiences via parental controls. Additionally, Roblox’s Parent & Caregiver Guide offers safety tips to families.
- Moderation and Community Standards: Roblox’s community standards and policies apply to everyone on the platform. Users can report and block individuals or experiences that violate these policies.
According to Roblox, a significant portion of creators are aged 17 or above. To support them in expressing their creativity, Roblox provides them the means to design experiences that resonate with their demographic. By allowing these creators to cater to the platform’s fastest-growing audience segment, Roblox opens up new avenues for heightened engagement and potential earnings.
The platform’s initiative to include users aged 17 and older is currently underway. Eligible creators have been given the green light to start developing these experiences. Roblox aspires for these experiences to be safe, civil, engaging, and of high quality. Users will begin to see these new experiences in the coming weeks.
Source: Roblox Blog
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