Brookhaven, Supermarket Simulator and Adopt Me are three iconic games on Roblox, but new chat restrictions have turned their lively worlds into protest grounds.
You’ve likely heard about the widespread protests unfolding across the United States as people fight to be seen and heard while demanding meaningful change. What you might not know about are the protests happening online.
As a longtime Roblox user, I recently joined a few of my favorite games to check on the new safety features, and the changes were drastic. Most games were nearly empty, with the exception of Brookhaven, where protests were taking place. What’s to blame? A faulty and inaccurate system that punishes children instead of targeting predators.
Digital demonstrations began after Roblox introduced age verification that limited communication between different age groups. Users now have the option to upload a valid ID or submit a selfie, which is analyzed by AI to determine an approximate age. The problem is that AI is not always accurate. Some users as young as 12 have been placed in the 18–20 category, while players 21 and older have reportedly been grouped into the 9–12 category. That raises an important question: How effective is this solution?
One anonymous user said the system may actually increase risks.
“It seems more dangerous, because now it’s assumed that whoever you’re talking to is in your age group, when they could still be an adult or a minor,” the user said.
Another player, Mia Schaefer, said the change avoids deeper issues.
“Nobody wanted this,” Schaefer said. “We wanted Roblox to take some accountability for their blatant refusal to moderate for years. This is their easy cop-out of having to do any actual work to keep players, especially kids, safe.”
In recent years, Roblox has faced controversy stemming from multiple lawsuits. Some parents have claimed the platform can be a breeding ground for grooming and exploitation. While those concerns are serious and action against child predators is necessary, some users say the solution Roblox has implemented is weak. If the platform can use AI to scan selfies, critics argue, it could also use AI to moderate chats more precisely. Parents, they say, also have a responsibility to keep their children safe online.
A parent who wished to remain anonymous said supervision is key.
“Parents should simply be monitoring their kids,” the parent said. “Check their devices or history at the end of the day. Play along with them when you can.”
For now, the protests don’t appear to be slowing down. Whether Roblox recognizes the frustrations of younger users or not, many players say they will continue to speak out.
“Parents want to keep kids safe, and kids want to chat,” Schaefer said. “Hopefully, a reassessment of age verification on the platform’s part brings communication and connection back to Roblox.”
