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An Oklahoma mother has filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, alleging the platform puts children in danger and enables predators to target minors. The suit was filed November 20 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, where Roblox is headquartered, according to reporting on Thursday by Oklahoma City News Channel 9.
According to the lawsuit, the mother’s teenage son had been an avid Roblox user. The platform reports more than 380 million monthly users and is widely marketed toward children. The plaintiff alleges that in 2023 her son encountered a man posing as a child on the platform. The mother’s name is not being released to protect her son’s privacy.
A plaintiff’s attorney stated, “He was 12 at the time, when he met what ended up being an adult predator posing as a child on the Roblox. This person groomed and manipulated the young boy on the platform under the guise that he, too, was a young child around the same age, after procuring the boy’s trust, the predator ended up sending graphic messages and sexually explicit images of himself, and also manipulated the young boy into doing the same and to sharing explicit images of himself.”
The attorney said this lawsuit is one of more than 30 others filed against Roblox by the firm, alleging the platform provides predators with powerful tools to target children. The attorney added, “They do that by allowing pedophiles and predators to come onto the platform and pretend to be little kids. You can sign up and be anyone you want, be any age you want, and Roblox allows the predators to develop trust with these children under that cloak of anonymity that the platform provides.”
Roblox launched in 2006 and allows users to play games alone or with others. It is free to access, though it includes an in game currency known as Robux. Roblox remains especially popular among children and teenagers, a reality that has led parents, law enforcement and regulators worldwide to raise concerns about safety practices.
A plaintiff’s attorney urged parents to speak openly with their children about online risks, saying, “You can never be too safe. Nobody ever thinks this is going to happen to them because it shouldn’t. And don’t be afraid to have those difficult conversations with your child. Don’t be afraid to educate them about the dangers online, about the dangers on Roblox, because Roblox certainly isn’t telling them or anyone else.”
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for emotional and mental injuries and ongoing anxiety suffered by the now fourteen year old boy. A plaintiff’s attorney said, “These types of situations unfortunately affect the whole family, not just the child involved. The little boy, you know, is still really struggling, really suffered from depressive symptoms, from anxiety.”
A panel of federal judges will meet December 4 in Austin, Texas to determine whether this and other similar cases will be consolidated into a single proceeding.
In September, another Oklahoma mother filed a separate lawsuit on behalf of her teenage daughter, alleging a man in his mid forties created a Roblox account claiming to be a fifteen year old boy and befriended the child without her parents’ knowledge. These cases are among hundreds filed nationwide.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond responded to questions from News 9 by stating, “When a platform that markets itself to children allows sexual predators to cause harm, the company must be held accountable. No one should profit from putting children at risk.”
Law enforcement officials reiterated the need for parental involvement. Canadian County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Adam Flowers told News 9 that parents should understand the apps their children use and supervise them closely. He said, “It’s important that parents understand what the app is and how it works. It might not be the parents’ forte to play an online video game, but make them be in the same room with the parent while they’re playing the game.” Flowers said children who are being enticed or sexually extorted may show signs such as declining grades, isolation or sudden changes in appearance or behavior.
Roblox recently announced an age verification requirement for communication features. According to a company release, users who verify their age will only be able to chat with others in the same age group. The company says the system will roll out worldwide in January.
For more Roblox news Coverage, click here.
