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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Roblox dating: Early access coming? What we know
Roblox, the online game platform and game creation system, has been a massive hit. 'Roblox is the ultimate virtual universe that lets you create, share experiences with friends, and be anything you can imagine,' the site reads. David Baszucki, the CEO of Roblox, said in a TechStuff interview that his vision is always to make Roblox a more adult-oriented platform. (AP) As of 2025, Roblox reportedly boasts around 85.3 million daily active users (DAU) and 380 million monthly active users (MAU). While enjoying its popularity, Roblox is mostly limited to a certain age group, but the company has been pushing to expand horizons. How does it plan to do so? By tapping into adult users. Roblox, in its 2023 keynote, expressed a desire to cater to the 17+ market, and a specific objective was to turn the game into a dating hub for adults. So, when is the Roblox dating feature coming, and will there be an early access for it? Roblox dating: What we know David Baszucki, the CEO of Roblox, said in a TechStuff interview that his vision is always to make Roblox a more adult-oriented platform. However, the 2023 address about bringing dating to Roblox raised some eyebrows, because obviously, there are many kids who log in each day to play the game. Roblox has, historically, done a good job at ensuring features which are not meant for those under 18, do not reach the group. Also Read | Grow a Garden: How to get the Grandmaster Sprinkler in the viral Roblox game Documents are needed as ID proof for age, and there are features that instantly block addresses and other identifiable chat information. However, one user noted that in Roblox's fan-made Squid Game recreation, some of the voice chatters (restricted to 17+) belonged to kids, meaning they likely used their parents' IDs to bypass the game's safety protocols. Notably, Roblox is not looking to serve as a platform to find dates, but rather to help people already in relationships. 'I think a lot of people who are too afraid to go on a real-life date might find it easier to have a virtual date to start,' the CEO explained. Currently, Roblox community standards explicitly prohibit dating, but the new feature could be made available to those who are 21 and above. Recently, one X user also said that UGCs related to dating are now allowed on Roblox, sharing what appeared to be a post from someone identifying themself as Roblox staff. "Statements that are self-referential or referencing real-world relationships (e.g., "Sorry ladies, I'm autistic" or "I <3 my boyfriend") are generally not considered violations under our current policies unless they include inappropriate, offensive, or targeted language. That said, we always appreciate community reports like this to help us identify edge cases or anything that may have slipped through. If you spot anything you believe violates our guidelines, feel free to report it directly in the catalog, and our team will take a closer look," the comment read.
Irish Independent
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Parents on alert as Roblox CEO says online dating in site's plans
The move has been floated by Roblox CEO David Baszucki just as Ireland's online regulator attempts to clampdown down on inappropriate activity for kids and teens online. Baszucki said that online dating on the platform was logical given some people's shyness or fear of the dating scene. Roblox users, he said, will 'have a virtual date to start and then, if they connect, move to the physical world.' In this way, he told the American podcast 'Tech Stuff', Roblox could become a 'wellness platform,' and something to 'help loneliness and bring connection.' However, Baszucki said that the Roblox would seek to make feature an age-restricted one those over 21. Roblox's future plans come as Ireland, the UK and Australia attempt to impose stricter age verification conditions online for social media and adult content. The latest phase of Ireland's Online Safety Code came into effect last week, with online platforms told that enforcement of a requirement for 'effective' age verification measures to stop underage users accessing inappropriate content was now active. The move has seen partial compliance by social media firms, with some adult content restricted for newly-set up accounts. However, a survey by the Irish Independent shows that Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X still only require self-declared age to create adult accounts and access some adult content. Posing as a child user, the Irish Independent created new adult accounts for all the main social media services, as well as for adult-only services Pornhub and OnlyFans. Within minutes, the test child user's account was being served hard core pornography on X, as well as adult-themed content on Instagram. According to a CyberSafeKids survey of 5,000 primary school children, 75pc of Irish children between the ages of 8 and 12 have a YouTube account, while 74pc of children between 12 and 14 have a TikTok account, 84pc are on Snapchat and over half have an Instagram account, despite the minimum age requirement being 13. ADVERTISEMENT The media regulator is directly responsible for enforcement on companies headquartered in Ireland, which include Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, Google (YouTube) and X. Roblox uses Amsterdam as its EU headquarters, as does Reddit. Snapchat and Onlyfans use the UK as their EU offices, while Pornhub uses Luxembourg. For services outside Ireland, the Irish regulator must liaise with European authorities in the countries where those services are based.
Cosmopolitan
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
So Who's Ready to Find Love on Roblox?
Once upon a time, Roblox was where your younger cousin spent hours absorbed in role-playing simulations with strangers across the country. Now, the gaming platform has become somewhat of a one-stop shop, hosting everything from virtual music festivals to political protests (well-organized ones). It could also be where you meet the love of your life. This week, Roblox's CEO, David Baszucki, spoke about his next big goal for the brand: romance. During an interview on the Tech Stuff podcast, David said, 'I think a lot of people who are too afraid to go on a real-life date might find it easier to have a virtual date to start, and then if they connect, move to the physical world.' David actually soft-launched the plan to facilitate immersive dating experiences back at the 2023 Roblox Developers Conference. In practice, this would allow users to go on dates with other users they've met in the metaverse, which would ideally result in 'real-life relationships.' David cited the 'loneliness epidemic' as the reason this is needed. There's a pretty depressing stat that states 73% of Gen Z struggles with loneliness, which does make any attempt to inspire real-life connections feel a bit urgent. Unfortunately, if you're ready to start testing this function out, the virtual dating option isn't live yet. Currently, online dating and romantic relationships between players are actually explicitly prohibited per Roblox Community Standards. And that's mainly because Roblox users famously fall on the younger side (39% of users are younger than 13). But this new dating service would be reserved for the opt-in, ID-verified 21+ users on the platform. My first reaction was that it seems counterintuitive to combat the loneliness epidemic on a digital platform that allows you to date while physically isolated. And VR dating does feel like a product of late-stage traditional dating app fatigue. But after spending time with my imagination, I've become open to the idea of being wined and dined via Roblox. As David noted, it does alleviate a lot of the nerves that come with first dates in real-life dates. And maybe it's more necessary given how hesitant people are to make moves these days. (A study found that almost half of young men 18-25 say they've never approached someone for a date in person) Maybe there will be connections made in the metaverse that would've never come together in real life. There's also much less prep involved in getting ready for a virtual date. Why shave your legs when you can just log on and let your avatar look good on your behalf? And with all of those physical pressures lifted, maybe this feature will allow daters to place a greater focus on asking intentional questions. We can treat the metaverse dating period like the pod-dating episodes on Love Is Blind—a window for pure 'getting to know you' conversations without all of real life's external pressures. For that reason, I'm willing to treat Roblox dating with all the sincerity that I would have getting drinks with a Hinge match.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I think of Roblox as a platform to help loneliness': CEO suggests Roblox could become a dating space for adults
Image via:In a bizarre and surprisingly controversial twist, Roblox CEO David Baszucki has presented a vision for the beloved online game's future, one that potentially positions it as a destination for grown-up romance and online dating. Speaking on the TechStuff podcast, Baszucki doubled down on his vision of Roblox fighting what he called a 'loneliness epidemic' by enabling consenting adults to connect in safe, immersive virtual experiences. His statement, 'I think of Roblox as a platform to help loneliness,' has attracted both interest and controversy. From Kids' Playground to Adult Matchmaking? Historically viewed as a haven for younger users, Roblox's reputation as an online sandbox is fundamentally tied to its extensive library of games and user content. The company has been quietly transforming that image since June 2023, when it launched a mature rating for experiences that contain romance, alcohol and even extreme violence, available only to verified adults. Now, Baszucki is propelling the platform even deeper into adult-land. He imagines a Roblox where grownups go to virtual movie nights, concerts, and mixers for dating and making new connections. Roblox Still wants to Allow Online Dating... Thousands of adults will first meet in Roblox dating experiences and then meet in real life, Baszucki had already proclaimed in a 2024 keynote. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo His latest remarks just cement the firm's plans to turn this into reality. Virtual Dates, Actual Connections? Baszucki thinks the concept might particularly resonate with daters who are reluctant. A lot of people who are too afraid to go on a real-life date might find it easier', he observed. This strategy, he contends, could lull users into relationships that would eventually transition into real-life alliances. roblox, don't do this... Roblox having adult dating experiences is a bold concept, to say the least and not without some controversy. The platform's bread and butter has been younger players for years, making many doubt whether this shift can be accomplished responsibly and well. As Roblox grows up, one thing's certain, Baszucki envisions more than just pixels and play. He envisions digital dating, connection and perhaps even love. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Express Tribune
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Roblox CEO says platform could help adults experience virtual dating
Roblox CEO David Baszucki has stated his vision for the platform to become a space where consenting adults can form relationships through virtual dating experiences. Speaking on the TechStuff podcast, Baszucki explained that Roblox could help address what he described as a 'loneliness epidemic' by allowing adults to connect in a digital environment. 'Thousands of adults will meet for the first time in Roblox dating experiences and subsequently form real-life relationships,' Baszucki said in a 2024 presentation. In 2025, he reiterated, 'I think a lot of people who are too afraid to go on a real-life date might find it easier to have a virtual date to start, and then if they connect, move to the physical world.' Roblox, which introduced a higher maturity rating in 2023, allows content with romantic themes, alcohol references, and crude humour for verified users. Adults must provide identification documents to access such content on the platform. Baszucki said he envisions Roblox providing opportunities for adults to attend virtual movie screenings, concerts, and mixers to meet others in a comfortable online setting. 'I think of [Roblox] as a platform to help loneliness and help bring connection,' Baszucki said, adding, 'Can we do this in a way that is more civil and higher quality than any other company could?' Roblox has traditionally attracted a younger demographic, but the company is focusing on expanding experiences for mature users.
