Florida Attorney General Launches Criminal Probe Into Roblox Over Child Safety Concerns

Florida Investigation Targets Roblox Safety Practices

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has initiated a criminal investigation into Roblox Corporation, alleging the popular online gaming platform has become a “breeding ground” for predators targeting children, according to official statements from his office. The investigation centers on whether the company‘s actions or failures to act have enabled child abuse on its platform.

Florida Investigation Targets Roblox Safety Practices
Multiple States Take Legal Action
Platform Demographics and Company Response
Investigation Timeline and Next Steps
Broader Industry Implications

In a video statement posted to social media platform X on October 20, Uthmeier claimed that “companies like Roblox have become breeding grounds for predators to get to and have access to our kids.” The Republican attorney general stated his office is issuing criminal subpoenas to Roblox Corporation to investigate what he described as “profiting off of our kids and exposing them to the most dangerous of harms.”

Multiple States Take Legal Action

The Florida investigation joins a growing list of legal actions against Roblox Corporation. According to reports, attorneys general in Kentucky and Louisiana have filed separate lawsuits against the company alleging failure to protect children and facilitating the distribution of child sexual abuse material. These legal challenges suggest a coordinated multi-state examination of the platform’s safety practices.

Additional lawsuits filed in Georgia and St. Louis this year allege that two children, ages eight and thirteen, were targeted by predators through the platform. These cases highlight the vulnerability of young users despite company safety measures, analysts suggest.

Platform Demographics and Company Response

Roblox’s significant youth user base has drawn particular scrutiny from regulators. Reports indicate nearly 40% of Roblox’s users are under the age of 13, making child protection measures particularly critical for the platform. The company’s in-game currency, Robux, has reportedly been used by predators to groom minors, according to investigation documents.

Roblox Corporation has pushed back against recent criticism, with Tami Bhaumik, vice president of civility and partnerships, stating that negative media coverage is based on events from “five years ago.” However, the current lawsuits and investigations focus on alleged ongoing issues and recent incidents, sources indicate.

Investigation Timeline and Next Steps

The criminal subpoenas issued by Florida’s attorney general will require Roblox Corporation to respond and appear before Tampa assistant statewide prosecutor Rita Pavan Peters on December 20. This proceeding will allow investigators to gather what Uthmeier described as “evidence on the predators that are out there and the victims that are abused.”

Uthmeier emphasized the determination of his office, stating “At the end of the day, we will stop at nothing to fight to protect our kids. And companies that act carelessly and expose them to harm will be held accountable.” The investigation represents one of the most significant regulatory challenges Roblox Corporation has faced regarding child safety issues.

Broader Industry Implications

The Roblox investigation comes amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of online platforms hosting young users. Legal experts suggest the outcome could establish important precedents for how gaming companies and social platforms are expected to protect minor users from predatory behavior.

As the December court date approaches, industry observers will be watching closely to see how Roblox Corporation responds to the specific allegations and whether the company will implement additional safety measures for its substantial underage user base.