Roblox CEO David Baszucki Outlines Bold Strategy to Protect Kids Online
Roblox’s Child Safety Challenges Take Center Stage
Roblox, one of the world’s most popular gaming platforms for children, is facing increasing scrutiny over safety. With millions of users under 13 spending hours daily in digital worlds, concerns about predators, inappropriate content, and online exploitation are mounting. CEO David Baszucki has taken a highly public role in addressing these concerns, emphasizing that “everyone in the world wants kids to be safe. It’s an industry-wide issue, and we’re building tools to keep bad actors off Roblox.” (foxbusiness.com)
Roblox boasts over 111 million daily active users, making it one of the largest platforms for children worldwide. About 39.7 million of these users are under 13, highlighting the immense responsibility the company has in ensuring a safe online environment.
David Baszucki: The Visionary Behind Roblox
David Baszucki co-founded Roblox in 2004 and serves as CEO, blending a background in engineering, simulation software, and digital innovation with a vision for immersive, user-generated content. His experience includes founding Knowledge Revolution, a company acquired by MSC Software, giving him deep insight into software development and user engagement.
In interviews, Baszucki has been candid about the platform’s challenges, telling GameDeveloper.com:
“My first message would be, if you’re not comfortable, don’t let your kids be on Roblox.”
This direct acknowledgment reflects both transparency and accountability, setting Roblox apart in an industry often criticized for opaque safety practices.
Why Roblox is Under the Spotlight
Roblox is currently facing multiple lawsuits and state investigations, alleging that the platform has failed to protect children adequately. For example:
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The Attorney General of Kentucky described Roblox as a “playground for predators” and demanded stricter age verification and filtering measures.
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Florida’s Attorney General issued criminal subpoenas, citing concerns that the platform enables exposure to child abuse.
Despite these legal pressures, Roblox asserts that it enforces “rigorous safety measures,” including AI moderation, chat restrictions, and age-appropriate content filters.
Roblox’s Multi-Layered Child Safety Strategy
AI-Powered Text Filtering and Messaging Controls
Children under 13 cannot send unrestricted messages, share images, or post videos on Roblox. Baszucki emphasized:
“We don’t allow image sharing. We filter all text. We have policies against sharing really personal information. We monitor in real time for critical harms, and we work very closely with law enforcement.”
This system uses advanced machine learning to detect inappropriate language, grooming attempts, and other potentially harmful behavior.
Facial Age Estimation and AI Monitoring
Roblox is deploying facial age-estimation technology and AI models to detect users misrepresenting their age or trying to bypass restrictions. These tools provide an additional layer of security beyond traditional verification methods.
Enhanced Parental Controls
Roblox has expanded parental control options in 2025, allowing parents to:
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Restrict games by maturity rating
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Block specific friends
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View screen-time reports
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Limit interactions with unknown players
These features give parents visibility and agency, helping them actively manage their child’s online experience.
Content Policy Overhaul
The platform updated its user-generated content policies, restricting unrated experiences to verified users aged 17+ and limiting private environments to older users. This step ensures younger users are not inadvertently exposed to unsafe content.
Industry Collaboration and Law Enforcement Partnerships
Baszucki stressed the importance of cooperation:
“We work closely with law enforcement and other industry leaders to set standards for child safety across digital platforms.”
Roblox participates in industry-wide initiatives, sharing best practices and technology solutions to combat online exploitation.
Recent Innovations to Enhance Safety
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Predictive AI: Roblox is developing AI systems capable of flagging potentially harmful content before it reaches users.
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Behavioral Analytics: Advanced monitoring detects patterns of grooming or inappropriate interaction across multiple accounts.
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Education Initiatives: Roblox has launched campaigns to educate children and parents about digital safety, encouraging proactive awareness.
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Moderation Expansion: The company has significantly increased the number of human moderators to review flagged content in real time.
These combined strategies demonstrate Roblox’s commitment to proactive, rather than reactive, child safety management.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Growth with Responsibility
While Roblox is taking visible steps, experts note that online moderation is a complex and ongoing challenge. A Wired investigation reported that self-reported cases of exploitation linked to the platform rose from 675 in 2019 to over 24,000 in 2024. This increase underscores the need for continued vigilance and technological investment.
For Roblox, maintaining trust with parents, developers, and regulators is essential for long-term growth. The platform’s popularity depends not only on engaging content but also on ensuring a safe environment where children can explore creatively.
Why Roblox’s Strategy Matters for the Digital Industry
Roblox’s approach may set a precedent for other online platforms targeting children. By combining AI moderation, robust parental controls, policy reform, and industry collaboration, Roblox is attempting to create a model where safety and user-generated creativity coexist.
According to analysis reviewed by CEO Today, Roblox’s child safety initiatives will influence future regulations, investor confidence, and user adoption, making it a bellwether for online gaming platforms worldwide.
Your Top Roblox Safety Questions—Answered!
Q: How does Roblox ensure child safety?
A: Roblox uses AI text filters, age verification, restricted messaging, parental controls, and real-time moderation to protect children.
Q: Who is Roblox CEO David Baszucki?
A: David Baszucki co-founded Roblox, has a background in engineering and simulation software, and oversees the company’s strategy and child safety initiatives.
Q: What new child safety measures has Roblox introduced?
A: Roblox expanded parental controls, restricted unrated content to verified users, deployed AI monitoring, and strengthened content moderation policies.
