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Roblox, the popular online gaming platform with around 70 million daily users, is rolling out new safety features for children under the age of 13 in response to criticism over its protective measures for younger users, according to the BBC.

Starting Dec. 3, game creators will need to declare whether their games are suitable for children under 13.

Any games not marked as appropriate will be blocked for players aged 12 and younger.

From Nov. 18, children under 13 will also be restricted from accessing "social hangouts" — online spaces where players can communicate via text and voice. These are defined as games primarily designed for players to interact as themselves rather than role-playing as characters.

Additionally, younger users will be prohibited from using "free-form 2D user creation" features, which allow users to draw or write in 2D and share those creations without moderation. This move aims to prevent the sharing of offensive images or messages that are difficult to moderate.

In a post on the Roblox developer website, the company acknowledged the tight deadline but emphasized the importance of these measures to ensure a safe and civil environment for all users.

"We recognize the deadline is soon, but we greatly appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure Roblox is a safe and civil place for users of all ages to come together," the statement read.

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