The state of Florida has initiated a criminal investigation into the popular gaming platform Roblox, following claims that it serves as a “breeding ground” for sexual predators targeting children. This announcement was made by Florida”s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, on Monday amid growing concerns regarding the platform”s lack of adequate child safety measures.
In a video shared on social media, Uthmeier stated, “Roblox exploits our children while exposing them to the most dangerous harms, allowing them to be abused.” He emphasized that the investigation will help authorities gather more information about the criminal activities occurring on Roblox and the predators who may be lurking there, as well as the victims of abuse.
The attorney general”s office released a statement noting that previous investigations have uncovered the presence of “sexual predators” on the platform, with the intent of accessing minors. The concerning allegations against the gaming platform include negligence in properly verifying user ages and failures in content moderation, which have allowed explicit sexual material to bypass filters and circulate within the platform.
Additionally, it was suggested that some sexual predators have used the game”s virtual currency to bribe minors in exchange for sexually explicit images. Uthmeier also indicated that Roblox fails to provide adequate warnings to parents about the dangers their children face and has not “knowingly” reported such incidents.
As of 2024, Roblox reportedly had approximately 88.9 million daily users, with around 40% of them being under the age of 13, highlighting the platform”s significant reach among young audiences.
