In early 2025, multiple lawsuits were filed against the popular video game Roblox and its CEO, David Baszucki. Plaintiffs allege that the company has failed to implement sufficient safety measures, creating an environment where predators can exploit children. Lawsuits also address allegations of gambling targeting minors and data privacy violations.
The mother of a 15-year-old California boy who took his own life is now suing Roblox and Discord over his death, alleging her son was groomed and coerced to send explicit images on the apps. Ethan Dallas, had played the game since age nine, when an adult predator allegedly targeted him. Their communications moved beyond the game to private chats, ultimately leading to the boy’s suicide.
An article published by ABC News reported on how Louisiana sued Roblox, alleging the site has perpetuated an environment where sexual predators “thrive, unite, hunt and victimize kids.” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a news release that “Roblox is overrun with harmful content and child predators because it prioritizes user growth, revenue, and profits over child safety.”
Not only has child safety from predators been an issue, Roblox has allegedly been exposing children to gambling, child exploitation, sexual grooming, financial manipulation, and exposure to violent or explicit content. Although Roblox continues to deny these claims in their official response, they say safety is one of their top priorities and will continue to modify safety.
There have been instances of families talking about how their child was lured into talking to a stranger online in a private chat or a private game. To these kids, it seemed innocent, but it quickly turned out to be dangerous, as stated by the Lawsuit Information Center. Sophia Nevico (9), explained her thoughts about this lawsuit.
“There are games that were hacked to block out the chat censor and people said some insane inappropriate stuff that should not be said to children,” Nevico said.
Roblox, according to its website, claims to provide a safe and positive environment for all users, especially children. It has implemented measures that it says will keep its young users safe, such as proactive communication monitoring and content restrictions. Despite these measures, Roblox continues to face mounting criticism.
Given Roblox’s scale and influence, the platform is not disappearing anytime soon, making it important to prioritize the safety of children and teens worldwide.
