Roblox will require video selfie–based age verification for users under 16 in Indonesia and will automatically convert about 23 million suspected under‑16 accounts into restricted profiles. The company is launching Roblox Kids (ages 5–12, no chat) and Roblox Select (ages 13–15, limited chat) and says the selfie data will be deleted immediately after an automated age estimate. Indonesia designated Roblox as a high‑risk platform and has pushed for playtime limits and content categorization to better protect children.
Roblox Will Require Facial Scans For Under‑16s In Indonesia Under New Rules
Indonesia's Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid, center, speaks to the media as the Director General for Digital Space Supervision Alexander Sabar, right, and Roblox's Vice President for Global Public Policy Nicky Jackson Colaco, left, listen during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Edna Tarigan)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Roblox, the popular online gaming platform for children, will require facial age verification for users under 16 in Indonesia to comply with newly enforced government rules restricting minors' access to digital platforms.
Nicky Jackson Colaco, Roblox’s vice president and global head of public policy, announced the change at a Jakarta press conference, calling the measures among the strictest the company has applied anywhere in the world. Roblox will introduce age-specific account types and other safeguards designed to limit children’s exposure to chat, inappropriate content and excessive playtime.
What Changes Will Be Rolled Out?
Roblox is introducing two age-specific account categories in Indonesia:
- Roblox Kids (ages 5–12): Chat disabled and restricted interactions.
- Roblox Select (ages 13–15): Chat limited to parents or approved family and friends.
About 23 million accounts that Roblox identifies as belonging to users under 16 will be automatically transitioned into the appropriate age-restricted profile unless the user completes the age-verification process.
How Age Verification Works
The age-estimation tool requires users to record a short video selfie; Roblox says an automated system will estimate the user’s age from that video. Roblox has stated the video data will be deleted immediately after the age estimate and that it does not retain the images.
Context: Indonesian Regulations
Indonesia began enforcing a regulation at the end of March that bars children under 16 from accessing digital platforms that could expose them to addiction, pornography, online scams or cyberbullying. Regulators classified Roblox as a high-risk gaming platform, so its child-safety rules differ from those for other social media services.
Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said Indonesia has roughly 45 million Roblox users, about 23 million of whom are children. Seven of the eight platforms classified as high-risk — including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X and Bigo Live — have agreed to restrict children's access under the new rules.
Additional Safeguards
Roblox will also categorize games by appropriate age groups and has implemented screen-time and playtime limits so parents can set specific hours for play as part of efforts to reduce addiction and better protect young users. Regulators are also asking platforms to report the number of accounts suspended under the new measures.
Privacy And Safety Notes: Roblox says the age checks are automated and that video data used to estimate age will be deleted immediately. Parents and privacy advocates may still seek further clarity on data handling, storage and independent verification of deletion policies.
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