As technology has advanced, so too have methods of play for kids. The internet has opened the way for previously unthinkable platforms that allow children worldwide to interact in various ways. At the same time, it also has the unfortunate side effect of providing a fertile new hunting ground for child sexual predators.
Roblox, an immensely popular online video gaming platform, finds itself facing multiple lawsuits blaming its lack of adequate safety controls for leading to instances of sexual exploitation and grooming of children, some of whom were as young as eight years old. The plaintiffs range from angry parents to the state of Louisiana.
Despite recently increased security measures, the lawsuits allege that Roblox's substandard protocols make the company guilty of negligence, design defects, and failure to warn. With online interactions on its platform leading to real-life tragedies, the lawsuits seek to force Roblox to become a safer online playground and award damages.
A Dream for Some, a Nightmare for Others
Launched in 2006, Roblox ranks as one of the most visited websites in the world. Marketed as a safe haven for kids to play online, it functions primarily as a game-playing and game-design platform. Populated almost completely by user creations and content, the already successful site hit new highs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Roblox is free-to-play, some items and access to certain games (called "experiences") are paid for with RoBux, the site's proprietary currency. It boasts a daily active user count of over 85 million, and it's estimated that half of all American children under the age of 16 are part of the monthly user base.
Despite presenting itself as family-friendly, Roblox has long faced criticism over its security measures, which many perceive as weak and inadequate. Detractors insist that Roblox's tiered access system still allows children as young as nine to be exposed to sexually explicit content and games inappropriate for their age. They also cite the lack of enough moderators, as the objectionable content pops up so frequently, the current staff is unable to keep up with it.
Of even greater concern are Roblox's lack of an effective age-verification system and a truly effective parental permission system, both of which are utilized by sexual predators to gain access to young victims. Abusers create fake accounts that allow them to pretend to be a child. From there, they'll slowly develop relationships with minors that allow them to groom their victims and get them to trust their "new friend." The end goal is to coerce the children into being sexually exploited or into real-life meetings.
Roblox has also had to defend its practice of blocking so-called "vigilantes" who target child predators from the site. The company claims that by pretending to be a child to catch predators, they are behaving in the same way as those they're hunting.
"Public Bathroom Simulator Vibe" and "Strip Club Experience" Don't Sound Family-Friendly
While Roblox has pledged to increase security measures through methods including facial age technology and improved parental controls, skeptics remain unconvinced that the company's efforts will have much of an effect. Most of the lawsuits filed on behalf of parents and children seek damages for the transgressions against their children that they allege were facilitated by Roblox's negligence and strict liability. The state of Louisiana is poised to take it a step or two further.
Filed by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, the state's lawsuit also alleges negligence and unjust enrichment by Roblox. In addition, it claims violations of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act (LUTPA) that indicate Roblox knows its platform is unsafe for children and seeks permanent injunctions to protect minor users from predators. In effect, it looks to shut Roblox down unless it can ensure the safety of children using the platform.
An online sandbox filled with games that celebrate the imagination and creativity of its users sounds like a wonderful idea, but it may serve as yet another example of why we can't have nice things. If Roblox is indeed shuttered by one of these lawsuits, the Next Big Thing Online may have to appear sooner than expected.
Related Resources
- What Laws Protect Children on the Internet? (FindLaw's Parental Rights and Legal Liability)
- Can Sex Offenders Be Banned From Social Media? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- Sex Offenders and Sex Offenses: Overview (FindLaw's Criminal Charges)
