LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the massively popular online gaming platform fails to adequately protect children from online predators.
The county argues the platform, widely used by young players, does not have sufficient safeguards to prevent adults from posing as minors and interacting with children.
“I can sign up, say I’m 12 years old, create an avatar for myself, and start playing the game, and start interacting with 9-year-olds, 10-year-olds, 12-year-olds,” said Scott Kuhn, assistant county counsel.
The county pointed to a recent lawsuit filed on behalf of a 12-year-old girl. According to the girl’s mother, her daughter was allegedly befriended by a predator posing as a teenager, who then lured her to another platform and manipulated her into sending sexually explicit images and videos.
“We are seeking to have Roblox change the way it does business to protect children and not to put profits over the price of children’s protection,” Kuhn said.
He added that the county wants stronger age verification tools, including the use of IDs, along with independent monitors of conduct on a platform where users can create experiences.
“Investigating complaints, checking on what the different games have been created,” Kuhn said.
In a statement to Eyewitness News, Roblox said it strongly disputes the claims in the lawsuit, saying in part, “We have advanced safeguards that monitor our platform for harmful content and communications, and users cannot send or receive images via chat, avoiding one of the most prevalent opportunities for misuse seen elsewhere online.”
Roblox also said that as of January, it requires users to complete a facial age check to access chat features and sorts players into age groups.
County officials maintain the measures aren’t enough.
“I would just encourage parents whose kids are playing Roblox to make sure they check in with them, they monitor what’s going on, and they file complaints with Roblox if they see anything,” Kuhn said.
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