Texas Sues Roblox, Calls Platform ‘Digital Playground for Predators’

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00:00Texas sues Roblox, alleging it enables grooming and exposes children to sexually explicit content.

00:12According to the New York Post, the suit, filed Friday by Attorney General Ken Paxton,

00:17claims Roblox has turned into a digital playground for predators.

00:21The lawsuit alleges deceptive trade practices and a habitual destination for child predators

00:26to target and groom kids.

00:29We cannot allow platforms like Roblox to continue operating as digital playgrounds for predators,

00:34Paxton said in a statement.

00:36He said Roblox must do more to protect kids and vowed enablers of child abuse would face the full force of the law.

00:43The legal action follows similar lawsuits in Louisiana and Kentucky,

00:47along with numerous private suits accusing the San Mateo, California-based company of failing to stop online predators.

00:54The filing describes Roblox as a sprawling and unregulated digital playground that is overrun by predators and saturated with sexual content.

01:05It also claims the in-game currency, Robux, provides leverage for predators to hunt and abuse children.

01:10Rather than being lured by candy, modern-day predators have lured children with Robux.

01:16The lawsuit states,

01:17The filing cites FBI investigations, criminal convictions, and private lawsuits alleging Roblox facilitated child abuse and pornography,

01:26including a Texas case where a child who joined at age 10 was raped after grooming on the platform.

01:32Paxton's office is seeking a jury trial and requests penalties,

01:35including a $10,000 fine for every violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act

01:41and an injunction to prevent further wrongdoing.

01:44In October, Roblox reported 151.5 million average daily active users, 83% outside the U.S. and Canada.

01:54In 2024, 40% of daily users were younger than 13.

01:58A Roblox spokesperson said the company shares Paxton's commitment to keeping kids safe

02:03and has implemented industry-leading protocols.

02:06A spokesperson said the AG should have worked collaboratively

02:09and called the suit based on misrepresentations and sensationalized claims.

02:14The company said it added over 145 safety measures

02:18and will roll out age estimation to help prevent adults from chatting with minors.