Popular game platform Roblox implemented age segregation for chat on Jan. 7, verified by AI. This means that all players would now have to verify their age, either through face scanning to then have AI guess their age range, or by sending a picture of their ID to prove their age. Separated age ranges now will only be allowed to see chats from ranges closest to them. This decision initially seems to help fix problems with minor safety, but many have pointed to the glaring issues with this system. With many seeing this verification as ineffective, putting some in the wrong age ranges based on appearances. This has caused major problems among players, with some being stuck in the wrong age range without an ID to prove their age. Another concern with this decision being in games with rich roleplay and community culture, now seeing this update as the end of communication. Games such as Royale High, with a long legacy of community, have already been seeing a steady decline in roleplay in recent years. With this update, it continues to weaken, making it near impossible for players to connect in ways Royale High has been known for since 2017; almost a decade of legacy now changed by this decision, which some say has more risks than rewards. Since this update, Royale High has shown a response to this change with a system called “quick chats”. Pre-saved phrases that all players can use for roleplay and personal communication. This sought to help with the disconnect that many players are currently experiencing, showing hope for communication on the platform through safe pre-saved chatting between players. However, another path to communication that many have unfortunately been using raises many concerns, in which players are able to trick the AI verification, getting into age ranges that they should not be in. This has mostly been minors reaching 18+ ranges, but some question if it’s this easy to trick AI, then what’s keeping minors safe while on the platform? Leading many to worry about minor safety even more than before. This fear is amplified by the fact that in minor ranges, as young as under nine, can chat without adults seeing them, including specifically, human moderators. Showing a dangerous weak spot for in-game moderation, with human moderation effectively unable to moderate and keep minor players safe, now almost fully relying on AI. AI moderation has been used on Roblox since November 2023, but now it’s being way more depended on since this update. This has been causing mixed reviews from players, leaving many frustrated with the issues of inhuman thinking that AI is prone to. Ultimately, this decision has been criticized by many for leaving players feeling this to be the end of community and communication. Along with bringing more concerns to minor safety, making it harder for human moderators to effectively do their jobs, now seeing an almost full reliance on AI to keep minors safe on the app.
