Roblox Launches Mandatory Age-Gated Kids and Select Accounts with New Child Safety Controls
Roblox is overhauling how its youngest users access the platform, announcing mandatory age-gated account tiers launching in early June that will restrict content, limit chat, and require developers to pay a monthly fee to publish games to children.
Three Account Tiers: Kids, Select, and Standard
Starting in early June 2026, Roblox will automatically assign users to one of three account types based on their registered age. Users aged 5 to 8 will be placed in Roblox Kids accounts, which restrict access to games rated "Minimal" or "Mild" and disable all chat by default. Users aged 9 to 15 will be assigned to Roblox Select accounts, which permit games rated up to "Moderate" and allow limited communication. Users 16 and older will remain on standard accounts with full platform access.
The account tiers are mandatory, not opt-in. Parents will be notified, but the platform will enforce age restrictions automatically based on the date of birth provided at registration, according to Roblox's official announcement.
Developers Must Pay $4.99 Per Month to Reach Young Users
The most controversial change for Roblox's creator community is the new requirement for developers who want their games available to Kids or Select account holders. To publish content eligible for younger audiences, creators must complete ID verification, enable two-step verification, and maintain an active Roblox Plus subscription at $4.99 per month.
Roblox will evaluate suitability by monitoring how users aged 16 and older interact with new games before assigning a content maturity label — Minimal, Mild, or Moderate — that determines which account tier can access it. The paid requirement is framed as a trust and safety measure, linking financial accountability to access to vulnerable users.
The Legal Backdrop: Child Safety Lawsuits
The announcement comes as Roblox faces a wave of child safety litigation alleging the platform enabled inappropriate interactions between adults and minors. The company has faced criticism for years over lax moderation of user-generated content that reaches children as young as five. The age-gated system represents its most structural response yet to those concerns.
The move mirrors industry-wide pressure following the UK's Age Appropriate Design Code and ongoing regulatory scrutiny in the US. Other platforms including Instagram have implemented similar age-verification systems — Instagram recently expanded teen accounts with a content rating system to India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Roblox Kids account?
Roblox Kids is a new restricted account tier for users aged 5-8, launching in early June 2026. It limits access to games with Minimal or Mild content ratings and disables chat by default. Assignment is automatic based on registered age.
Do Roblox developers have to pay to publish games for kids?
Yes. Developers must maintain a Roblox Plus subscription ($4.99/month), complete ID verification, and enable two-step verification for their games to be eligible for Roblox Kids and Select account holders.
When do the new Roblox account tiers launch?
Roblox Kids and Select accounts are scheduled to launch in early June 2026. The changes are mandatory and will apply to all users under 16 automatically.
The Bottom Line
Roblox's age-gated account system is the platform's most significant child safety overhaul in its history. By mandating content tiers, restricting chat, and charging developers for access to young users, Roblox is trading some creator goodwill for a defensible legal and regulatory position — a trade that increasing regulatory pressure is making unavoidable across the gaming industry.