This is not parody, we promise: Roblox that is introducing a new means of safeguarding children by requiring children ages 13 through 17 to upload a video selfie that will be analyzed by an AI to supposedly determine if they are, in fact, aged 13 through 17. But no, that is really how the company is going to verify users who are attempting to set up the new Trusted Connection feature, and the idea is that this will replace the need to otherwise verify your identity. We’ll let the press release speak for itself:

Age Estimation is a prerequisite for Trusted Connections. Looking ahead, we envision using Age Estimation platform-wide to support user access to age-appropriate features and content. Users always have a choice: Age Estimation is optional, and those over 13 can still verify with an ID and, in the future, verified parental consent. We believe this represents a significant leap forward for online safety and hope other platforms follow suit.

Now let’s be clear, the Trusted Connection feature is meant to keep kids in-platform and verify the age of minors to avoid forming connections with older and unknown users. That is a laudable goal. Whether or not uploading a video selfie that will then be analyzed by an AI is actually a good means of approaching that laudable goal is another discussion altogether.