As the new Congress begins to tackle legislation aimed at protecting kids from social media harms, Roblox is doubling down on its efforts to convince lawmakers that it shouldn't be lumped in with products like Instagram and YouTube. The kid-friendly gaming platform is promoting itself as a unique entity that offers educational value and a safe space for young users, distinct from traditional social media platforms.

The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) may have failed to become law last year, but protecting kids from social media still seems to be one of the few issues that unites many Democrats and Republicans. The Senate Commerce Committee has already advanced the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA), a bipartisan bill that would bar kids under 13 from making social media accounts and restrict platforms from implementing recommendation algorithms for kids under 17. While most mainstream social media platforms claim they don't make their services available to kids under 13, Roblox openly hosts young people on its platform, which it promotes as a good place for kids to learn technical and social skills.

Roblox's US public policy head, Emma Morris, recently briefed reporters in Washington, DC, on the company's efforts to engage with lawmakers and differentiate itself from social media. Morris acknowledged that it can be tricky to write carveouts that don't undermine lawmakers' goals, but emphasized Roblox's commitment to being part of the conversation. The company has become more proactive in engaging with legislatures, particularly as some state lawmakers begin to view Roblox as a potential target for legislation.

New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D) has introduced the New York Children's Online Safety Act (NYCOSA), which was crafted to include Roblox. This could pose a challenge for the company, as it finds a patchwork of state laws arduous to keep up with. Differing state tech regulations have already resulted in a widening spectrum of user experiences on the internet. Roblox chief safety officer Matt Kaufman expressed the company's concerns, stating that "from a regulatory perspective, the world is getting more and more complicated, and Roblox is really trying to make a concerted effort to reach out to policymakers and be part of the conversation."

Kaufman emphasized that Roblox is "fundamentally really different" from social media, citing its creation with the expectation that kids would use it and safety being built into the process of designing new features. He also highlighted the platform's educational value, stating that users can learn STEM skills by coding experiences and learning how to collaborate with others in games. Kaufman compared the platform's social aspect to "going to the park and playing with your friends," emphasizing that it doesn't have the same "engagement loops" of posting, commenting, and scrolling like on social media.

It remains to be seen how much lawmakers will buy into Roblox's argument. Social media executives have made similar points about their platforms being hubs for connection, positivity, and learning. Additionally, medical experts still warn of the risks of too much screen time for kids. New York State lawmaker Gounardes was convinced by parent constituents that it was worth including Roblox in his legislation, which seeks to prevent strangers from contacting kids in online spaces.

Last year, Roblox introduced new policies aimed at making its service even safer for young kids, including upping parental controls, restricting users under 13 from accessing "social hangout" spaces, and messaging other users outside of games. The company has also automated and human moderation systems in place, with investigators searching for fault points and figuring out how to strengthen them when something goes wrong.

Roblox is distinct from social media companies in the sorts of protections it provides to protect younger users and teens alike, according to Kaufman. The platform bars users from sharing images, doesn't offer encrypted communications, and instead actively monitors communications, reporting issues to law enforcement. Kaufman emphasized that "our approach is it doesn't matter how old you say you are, when you come to Roblox, we are going to keep you safe. And that means some things that we do very differently than other platforms."

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, Roblox's efforts to differentiate itself from social media will be closely watched. The company's ability to convince lawmakers of its unique value proposition will have significant implications for its future and the broader tech industry.