"In 2016, I presented at @Roblox Indie Game Developer Meetup about design strategy as an indie developer. Back then, I had no idea children as young as 5 were interacting with random adults on their platform. Today, the same company (NYSE: $RBLX) is filled with poorly moderated "games" like Bathroom Simulator and worse - all while letting adults animate their avatars for sexual role play."
"In contrast, on my own marketplace app - Sprocket (a peer-to-peer bicycle platform) - I've spent years doing the opposite: * Proactively blocking under-18 users ( its explicit in the TOS/PP ) * Working directly with Apple & to improve their developer systems * Advocating for real age-verification tools like Apple Wallet ID & AI-driven age-detecting/gating like what just shipped * Pushing for per-US-state distribution controls so developers can comply with new child-protection laws without being crushed by disabling all of the US market"
Platforms like Roblox allow very young children to interact with random adults and host poorly moderated, sexualized, or low-quality experiences. Many services still use outdated email or SIM-based logins that fail to verify age, enabling underage access. Sprocket, a peer-to-peer bicycle marketplace, blocks under-18 users in its TOS/PP, collaborates with Apple to improve developer systems, and advocates Apple Wallet ID plus AI-driven age-detecting/gating. The platform also pushes per-US-state distribution controls to comply with emerging child-protection laws. Small developers are building balanced solutions that protect children, respect privacy, and preserve innovation while urging stronger authentication infrastructure.
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