Roblox's new account tier system — Roblox Kids (under 9) and Roblox Select (under 16) — is being called "digital segregation" by critics. The accounts come with strict limitations on chat, game access, and social features that many players say have ruined the experience.

What You Lose

Users placed in Roblox Kids accounts cannot access games rated for ages 9 and up — which represents the vast majority of Roblox's most popular experiences. They cannot send direct messages, join group chats, or use voice chat. Even cosmetic features like avatar customization are restricted in certain games.

Roblox Select accounts for users under 16 face moderated chat, restricted game discovery, and limitations on spending Robux. The result is a fragmented platform where friends in different age brackets can't play together.

Real-World Impact

"My daughter cried because she couldn't play the same games as her school friends anymore," said Mark T., a parent from Ohio. "She's 10 and has a Roblox Select account, but her friend just turned 13 and got full access. They used to play every day together."

Parents have flooded support forums with complaints about false age classifications, with many saying their children were incorrectly placed into more restrictive tiers. While Roblox offers an appeals process, it requires either another face scan or government ID verification — options many families find invasive or impractical.

Industry analyst Carmen Wu of Digital Futures Group notes: "Roblox is betting that safety restrictions will outweigh user frustration in the long run, but the short-term damage to their community and developer ecosystem is substantial."