Popular online gaming platform Roblox is taking a significant step towards enhancing child safety by introducing new parental controls. According to a blog post by Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman, parents will now be able to block specific users on their child's friends list and restrict access to certain experiences and games.

This update builds upon the changes introduced last year, which included a special type of account for parents and caregivers to remotely manage their child's Roblox experience. The move comes after reports highlighted instances where Roblox failed to protect children, prompting the company to take proactive measures to address these concerns.

With the new controls, parents who have linked their account with their child's will be able to block and report specific users on their child's friends list. Notably, children under 13 will not be able to unblock users blocked by their parents, although they can request that the block be lifted. This added layer of protection ensures that parents have greater control over who their child interacts with online.

In addition to blocking users, parents will also be able to restrict access to specific experiences and games on the platform. Previously, parents could only block experiences based on content maturity levels. The new feature provides more granular control, allowing parents to make informed decisions about the type of content their child is exposed to.

Furthermore, Roblox will now provide parents with insights into their child's online activities, including a list of the 20 experiences their child has spent the most time in over the past week. This increased transparency will enable parents to have more informed conversations with their child about their online behavior and make data-driven decisions about their child's safety.

The introduction of these enhanced parental controls demonstrates Roblox's commitment to prioritizing child safety and providing parents with the tools they need to ensure their child's online experience is safe and enjoyable. As the platform continues to grow in popularity, these updates are a crucial step towards building trust with parents and caregivers.

The move is also likely to have broader implications for the gaming industry as a whole, as companies increasingly recognize the importance of prioritizing child safety and online well-being. As the online landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for companies like Roblox to stay ahead of the curve and implement measures that protect their youngest users.

With these new controls in place, Roblox is taking a significant step towards creating a safer and more responsible online environment for children. As the platform continues to innovate and grow, it will be interesting to see how these updates impact the user experience and shape the future of online gaming.