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Texas sues Roblox over alleged child safety violations
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Roblox on Friday, accusing the gaming platform of "flagrantly ignoring" child safety laws and misleading parents about risks to young users. The lawsuit alleges Roblox has become a "breeding ground for predators," prioritizing profits over protecting children from online threats.
Platform denies allegations, cites safety measures
Roblox, which hosts tens of millions of daily active users-many of them children-called the lawsuit "disappointing" and based on "misrepresentations and sensationalized claims." In a statement to the BBC, a company spokesperson reaffirmed its commitment to child safety, pointing to recent measures like age-verification tools and restricted messaging for under-13 users unless parental consent is granted.
The platform, known for its user-generated games and educational content, has faced criticism for hosting violent or sexual material created by users. Its open-chat features, which allow interactions with strangers, have also drawn scrutiny for exposing young players to potential abuse.
Growing legal pressure across U.S. states
Texas joins Kentucky and Louisiana in suing Roblox over child protection failures. Paxton's lawsuit escalates demands for stricter oversight, warning that "any corporation enabling child abuse will face the full force of the law." The attorney general's office accused Roblox of fostering an environment where "pixel pedophiles" exploit vulnerabilities in the platform's moderation systems.
"We share the goal of keeping children safe online and will continue working to remove bad actors," Roblox stated, while urging parents to supervise their children's usage.
Roblox spokesperson, November 2025
Global scrutiny and past controversies
Roblox has faced bans in countries like Turkey over child exploitation concerns. In 2023, Singapore detained a 16-year-old who joined ISIS-themed servers on the platform, replicating conflict zones like Syria. The incident prompted calls for tighter controls on user-generated content.
Company's defense and parental responsibility stance
CEO Dave Baszucki previously told the BBC that parents uncomfortable with Roblox should restrict access, emphasizing trust in "parents' decisions." The platform has since expanded safety tools, including video-selfie age verification, but critics argue these measures remain insufficient against determined predators.
What's next
The Texas lawsuit could set a precedent for further state-level actions against tech platforms over child safety. Legal experts note the case may hinge on whether Roblox's existing safeguards meet regulatory standards-or if its business model inherently conflicts with child protection obligations.
