Louisiana Sues Roblox Over Alleged Child Endangerment Due to Inadequate Safety Controls

The state attorney general of Louisiana has initiated legal action against Roblox, alleging the platform’s failure to implement essential safety measures, creating an environment conducive for pedophiles.

Filed on Thursday by Attorney General Liz Murrill, the lawsuit asserts that Roblox “has and continues to enable the dissemination of child sexual abuse material and the sexual exploitation of Louisiana’s minors.” It further accuses the platform of intentionally withholding basic safety controls to safeguard children from predators and neglecting to inform parents about potential risks.

Launched in 2006, Roblox boasts 82 million daily active users, with 40% of these users being under the age of 13 or between the ages of 9 and 12.

Attorney General Murrill stated, “Roblox’s lack of safety protocols jeopardizes the wellbeing of Louisiana’s children.” She further expressed concern over the platform’s prioritization of user growth, revenue, and profits above child safety, urging parents to be vigilant about the risks posed by Roblox.

According to the lawsuit, adults can falsify their identities as minors on Roblox, while children can circumvent age restrictions to access content intended for older users.

The lawsuit cites several sexually explicit experiences found on the platform, such as “Escape to Epstein Island,” “Diddy Party,” and “Public Bathroom Simulator Vibe.”

A spokesperson for Roblox, while unable to comment on ongoing litigation, affirmed that the platform devotes significant resources, including advanced technology and 24/7 human moderation, to identify and prevent inappropriate content and behavior, as well as efforts to direct users off the platform where safety standards may be less stringent.

“While no system is perfect, Roblox has implemented robust technology and enforcement safeguards, including restrictions on sharing personal information, links, and user-to-user image sharing,” the spokesperson added, emphasizing the importance of community safety.

Last year, Roblox implemented several safety measures to shield minors on its platform following reports of exposing young users to dangerous risks like grooming and explicit content. However, the lawsuit alleges that these measures were enacted too late and are insufficient.

The lawsuit seeks permanent injunctive relief, barring the company from claiming it provides adequate safety features and prohibiting any activity that would violate the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act.