Roblox Accused Of Enabling Predator Who Exploited 10-Year-Old Girl

A North Carolina mother is suing Roblox, accusing the gaming platform of enabling a predator to sexually exploit her 10-year-old daughter. 

The lawsuit, filed in state court, claims Roblox knowingly fostered a “pedophile hellscape” despite marketing itself as safe for children. The girl, referred to as Jane Doe N.L., allegedly endured “unimaginable harm” after a predator posing as a child groomed her on the app and coerced her into sending explicit photos, according to the NY Post.

According to the filing, the predator rewarded her with Robux, Roblox’s virtual currency, and threatened to revoke it if she didn’t comply. The complaint argues Roblox’s lax safeguards — including reliance on self-reported birthdates and, until late 2023, settings that allowed adults to message minors — directly enabled the abuse.

“Had Defendant disclosed the truth of what was really occurring on its app, Plaintiff’s mother would never have permitted Plaintiff to use this app without her strict supervision,” the lawsuit states.

Roblox denies wrongdoing. “We are deeply troubled by any incident that endangers our users, and safety is a top priority,” a company spokesperson said. The company insists it invests heavily in moderation and technology, adding: “We also partner with law enforcement and leading child safety organizations worldwide to combat the sexual exploitation of children.”

Still, the suit points to contradictions in Roblox’s public messaging. In 2019, Vice President Tami Bhaumik admitted that “digital civility did not exist at Roblox a year and a half ago,” while a former employee told Hindenburg Research: “You can keep your players safe, but then it would be less of them on the platform.”

Attorney Matthew Dolman, representing the family, called the case “a terrifying reminder of the world we live in where capitalist greed far outweighs humanity,” adding: “There have never been sufficient safety measures and protocols in place, and children are suffering unimaginably.”

Recall, days ago, LA Attorney General Liz Murrill sued Roblox Corp. in state court, accusing the California-based company of enabling predators to target children and “facilitate the distribution of child sexual abuse material” on its platform.

These lawsuits come less than a year after high-profile short seller Hindenburg Research published a sweeping investigation into Roblox, alleging the platform is not only a haven for sexual predators but also misleads investors about the size and engagement of its user base.

Hindenburg claimed its research uncovered “digital strip clubs, red light districts, sex parties and child predators lurking on Roblox” despite years of scandals and public promises to clean up the platform. 

According to Hindenburg, Roblox’s open search system allowed a self-identified under-13 account to join groups like “Adult Studios,” which had thousands of members allegedly trading child pornography and soliciting sexual acts from minors.