Roblox Asks Users to Verify Age with Photo-Based Tool

Key Concepts

AI Age Estimation: Utilizing artificial intelligence to determine the age of users on a platform.
Internet Safety Gold Standard: Aiming to set a new benchmark for online safety.
Platform Safety Innovations: Continuous development and implementation of new safety features.
Trust Connections: A safety metric that considers user relationships on the platform.
Third-Party Vendor: Reliance on external companies for specific technologies.
Robustness: The strength and reliability of a system or technology.
Bypassing Age Verification: Methods used to circumvent age-checking systems.
Multi-Signal Approach: Combining various data points for a more accurate assessment.
Revenue/Growth Impact: Potential short-term effects on financial metrics due to new safety measures.
Virtual Economy: An in-platform economic system, often driven by virtual currency.
Advertising Complement: Advertising as an additional revenue stream that complements the existing economy.

AI-Powered Age Estimation for Enhanced Internet Safety on Roblox

This discussion outlines Roblox's initiative to implement AI-driven age estimation as a core component of its future internet safety strategy, aiming to establish a "gold standard" for online platforms. The rollout is scheduled to begin in December and be completed by January, impacting the platform's 150 million daily users.

Rollout and Methodology

Implementation Timeline: The new age estimation feature will start rolling out in December and is expected to be fully implemented by January.
Core Technology: The system will utilize AI to analyze a quick image taken on any device to estimate a user's age.
Complementary Signals: This AI-driven age estimation will be augmented by a "bunch of other signals" to create a more comprehensive understanding of user identity and age.
Purpose: The primary goal is to enhance platform safety by understanding who users are chatting with, specifically preventing minors from communicating with adults.
Universal Application: The feature will be rolled out to all users on the platform.

Measuring Success and Existing Safety Measures

Proving a Negative: The challenge of measuring success is acknowledged, as it involves preventing negative outcomes.
Existing Safety Infrastructure: The platform already has robust safety measures in place, including:
- Filtering all text communication.
- Prohibiting image sharing.
- Monitoring for critical harms.
- Close collaboration with law enforcement.
"Gold Standard" Vision: The AI age estimation is presented as an addition to these existing measures, reinforcing the vision of a "gold standard" for internet safety.
Estimated Age Data: Over the next few months, the platform aims to have a rough age estimate for everyone, which will be combined with other signals like "trust connections" to drive continuous innovation.
Innovation Track Record: Roblox has shipped over 100 safety innovations in the past year, highlighting a consistent focus on safety.

Robustness and Third-Party Vendor Integration

Third-Party Vendor: The underlying AI technology is being sourced from a third-party vendor.
Ensuring Robustness: Concerns about the robustness of the AI, especially in light of past instances where platforms like Discord have bypassed facial recognition age verification, are addressed.
Multi-Signal Approach for Validation: To counter potential bypasses, Roblox employs a multi-signal approach. In addition to facial age estimation, they utilize "other ways to validate" and have the ability to perform age estimations "several times if we need to." This combined approach is believed to be "pretty robust."

Impact on Revenue and Long-Term Vision

Potential Friction: It is acknowledged that there might be some initial friction, potentially impacting revenue and growth numbers as users adapt to age verification.
Long-Term Optimism: Despite potential short-term impacts, the long-term vision is positive. Roblox aims for over 10% of the global gaming market, valued between $180 and $200 billion, to operate on its platform.
Balancing Growth and Safety: The company believes this is the "right thing for the platform" and the "right long term vision," especially given its diverse user base, which includes a significant and rapidly growing segment of users under 13.
User Age Distribution: While exact predictions are difficult, the platform anticipates the facial age estimation technology to be "pretty reasonable and pretty accurate." Over time, they expect to gain a better signal on the age distribution of their user base.

Implications for Advertisers and Engagement

Advertiser Confidence: The enhanced age estimation is expected to provide advertisers with greater confidence by offering a clearer understanding of the age demographics consuming content.
Targeting Under 18s: Roblox currently does not target users under 18.
Significant Older User Base: The platform has a substantial and growing number of older users.
Massive Engagement: In Q3, Roblox reported over 10 billion hours of engagement per month, demonstrating immense user activity.
Advertising as a Complement: While the platform's economy is primarily driven by its virtual economy, advertising is seen as a "wonderful complement."
Improved Targeting for Advertisers: The more accurate age estimates will enable advertisers, particularly those involved in events, beauty products, and movies, to better understand the number of users over 18 on the platform.

Conclusion

Roblox is implementing a significant AI-driven age estimation system to bolster its already strong safety measures. This initiative, designed to be the "gold standard" for internet safety, will leverage facial analysis complemented by other data signals to ensure a safer environment, particularly by preventing inappropriate interactions between minors and adults. While acknowledging potential short-term impacts on growth, the company is optimistic about the long-term benefits for user safety, platform integrity, and advertiser confidence, reinforcing its commitment to continuous innovation in safety.