Judge Rejects Roblox’s Push for Secret Arbitration, Allowing Abuse Case to Move Forward Publicly

ABC News reported yesterday that a lawsuit against Roblox will stay in open court after a California judge denied the company’s attempt to force the dispute into private arbitration, an important ruling that attorneys say could influence other pending cases.

The decision by California Superior Court Judge Nina Shapirshteyn keeps a lawsuit filed by a New Jersey father in the public judicial system. The father alleges that Roblox enabled contact between his 13-year-old son and an adult who posed as a minor, later moving conversations to Discord and pressuring the boy through threats and coercion. Authorities later confirmed the accused individual was a known offender facing charges for targeting other children online.

Roblox argued the case should be handled privately due to the platform’s Terms of Service, which contain an arbitration clause. Judge Shapirshteyn rejected the request, ruling that the claims can proceed before a judge and jury. Roblox says it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal.

A Growing Legal Crisis for Roblox

The case arrives as Roblox faces increasing national scrutiny. Attorneys representing families across the country say they are handling dozens of active lawsuits and investigating thousands of additional exploitation claims linked to interactions that began on the platform.

State attorneys general are also taking action. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill sued Roblox in August, Kentucky AG Russell Coleman filed suit in October, while Florida AG James Uthmeier issued criminal subpoenas in October, calling Roblox a “breeding ground for predators.”

Each action alleges Roblox failed to prevent adults from contacting minors despite marketing itself as a safe platform for children.

“The Gateway to All of This Happening”

The plaintiff told ABC News he did everything he could to keep his son safe, including using parental controls, but says the system still failed.

According to the complaint, the alleged perpetrator began communicating through a children’s game on Roblox before moving to Discord, where the exploitation escalated. Threatening messages included evidence the perpetrator had obtained the family’s address and personal details. Law enforcement later informed the plaintfif that the same individual had allegedly targeted at least 26 other children.

“This all started on Roblox,” the plaintiff said. “It was the gateway to everything that followed.”

His family has since moved across the country for safety.

The Debate Over Arbitration

A plaintiff’s attorney said Roblox routinely attempts to force these cases into private arbitration, which keeps allegations and evidence out of public view.

“Everyone deserves a day in court,” she said. “These families should be heard in the light of day, not placed into a confidential system that hides what happened.”

Roblox maintains that protecting children is a top priority and highlights its age-verification efforts, AI-based filters, and monitoring tools. The company emphasized that it collaborates closely with law enforcement and disputes the allegations raised in the case.

A Turning Point

For the plaintiff, the judge’s ruling was a rare source of relief:

“It was reassuring. Roblox doesn’t want these stories public, but families deserve the truth and accountability.”

Related News Items:

‘This Shouldn’t Be Happening’: Ohio Mom Raises Red Flags About Roblox Safety

Journalist Sexually Assaulted on Roblox While Posing as 8-Year-Old Girl Despite Parental Controls

Kentucky Family Alleges Roblox and Discord Platforms Enabled Suicide of 13-Year-Old Girl

Roblox Lawsuits: States’ Attorneys General and Consumers Target The Online Gaming Platform That’s “A Breeding Ground For Child Predators”

For expanded coverage of the Roblox litigation:

Roblox Lawsuits: How Governments And Parents Are Taking Legal Action Against Online Child Exploitation