Roblox sued by Los Angeles over claims platform ‘makes children easy prey for pedophiles’ | Roblox
Authorities in Los Angeles say they will sue Roblox, claiming the popular online platform exposes children to sexual content, exploitation and online predators.
Los Angeles County said in a lawsuit that the company did not conduct adequate audits and that its age verification systems were not fit for purpose.
“Roblox portrays its platform as a safe and appropriate place for children to play,” the LA County Solicitor’s complaint for public nuisance and violation of California’s false advertising law states. “In reality, and as Roblox knows all too well, the design of its platform makes children easy prey for pedophiles.”
The lawsuit against Roblox, which disputes the allegations, is the latest effort to hold an online firm accountable for allegedly exploitative practices.
This comes out during a hearing in the second-largest US city where social media giants, including Facebook, are being sued over claims their addictive algorithms target young teenagers.
“This case is about protecting children from online predators and inappropriate content,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis.
“Roblox has a responsibility to keep children safe, but instead it has allowed its platform to become a place where children can be abused and exploited.”
Roblox says it has approximately 144 million daily active users worldwide, more than 40% of whom are under the age of 13.
Users create, share and play a variety of games and other experiences, chat with each other, and use customizable avatars.
While it is free to use, players can purchase a virtual currency that allows them to purchase certain upgrades.
The company has long faced accusations that it did not do enough to protect children from violent and sexual content.
A 2024 report from Hindenburg Research described it as an “X-rated pedophile hell” that exposed children to grooming and pornography.
This month the Australian government said it wanted to hold an urgent meeting with the company on child safety.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that Roblox failed to adequately moderate user-generated content, enforce age restrictions or disclose the extent of inappropriate material and risks posed by sexual predators on the platform.
“This is not about a minor lapse in security. This is about a company that provides pedophiles with powerful tools to prey on innocent and unsuspecting children,” Los Angeles County attorney Dawyn R Harrison said.
“The resulting trauma, from grooming to exploitation to actual assault, is horrific. This needs to stop.”
In a statement to AFP, Roblox denied the allegations in the lawsuit, insisting that the platform was built “with security at its core.”
“We have enhanced security measures that monitor our platform for harmful content and communications, and users cannot send or receive images via chat, eliminating one of the most common abuse opportunities seen elsewhere online,” a spokesperson said.
The company said it would take swift action against anyone found violating its rules and was working with law enforcement to hold those individuals accountable.
“There is no finish line when it comes to protecting children, and while no system can be perfect, our commitment to safety never ends.”
