Call for Investigation into Roblox’s Child Safety Practices
On Wednesday, two notable child safety organizations formally requested a federal probe into Roblox, asserting that the gaming behemoth is profiting at the expense of its youngest users, some as young as five.
A complaint submitted by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) and Fairplay to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims that Roblox breaches Section 5 of the FTC Act, which bans deceptive and unfair business practices.
The advocacy groups argue that Roblox misleads parents into believing the game is a safe space, while simultaneously employing psychological tactics to prompt children into making in-game purchases.
To highlight the concerning monetization tactics, the complaint cites a vignette involving a 10-year-old girl who reportedly racked up over $7,000 in just two months, despite her parents’ efforts to control her spending.
This request comes amid broader discussions about protecting children in online environments. Drew Benby, CEO of the social media consultancy Battenhall and founder of the youth safety nonprofit Rays, commented on the situation. He emphasized that setting arbitrary age limits isn’t sufficient in safeguarding children. “Merely enforcing age restrictions lacks effectiveness,” he noted.
“While Roblox is implementing new age-based protections, young gamers can easily bypass safety features. There needs to be a greater awareness among parents and users regarding the social impacts of these games, along with significant legislative changes to address addictive tendencies,” Benby explained.
The complaint further accuses gaming platforms of not doing enough to prevent harmful interactions between adults and children. Heather Lindquist reported that her 15-year-old son, Bodhi, was groomed by a predator on Roblox prior to his passing in December.
“Parents are trying their best to shield their kids on Roblox, but this is an unfair battle. The platform is crafted to exploit children’s developmental moments and prey upon their vulnerabilities,” said Ashwin Varghese, communications director at Fairplay.
In addition to regulatory complaints, Roblox is facing a substantial legal challenge in U.S. federal court, with over 140 combined lawsuits claiming the platform has failed to protect children from digital exploitation.
These legal challenges mirror findings from independent researchers, who noted that test accounts registered as minors under 13 were exposed to explicit language in chat logs immediately upon joining public servers.
In response to these allegations, Roblox pushed back, with a spokesperson emphasizing, “Our platform aims to deliver a positive and enjoyable experience. We’re focused on fun and connection, not just short-term engagement.”
As of now, the FTC has yet to confirm whether the advocacy group’s request will lead to a formal investigation.
