Florida Teen Sues Roblox and Discord Over Alleged Sexual Exploitation

An 18-year-old girl from Florida has filed a lawsuit against Roblox and Discord, alleging that both platforms failed to prevent her sexual exploitation when she was a minor.

Filed on April 21, 2025, the lawsuit raises alarming concerns about child safety on two of the world’s most widely-used digital platforms.

The victim began using Roblox at age 12 with her parents' consent. According to the complaint, she was later groomed by an older man who contacted her through both Roblox and Discord. He allegedly initiated contact via Roblox games like MIC Up and Write a Letter, using the platform’s private “whisper” chat feature to build trust before transitioning their communication to Discord.

The lawsuit alleges that the predator coerced the girl into sending explicit photos and videos, which were later used as blackmail to force continued contact. This abuse is said to have lasted around six months, despite her account clearly identifying her as underage.

Emotional Toll and Long-Term Impact

The girl’s legal team—Anapol Weiss and Girard Sharp—state that she became “severely depressed and introverted” following the abuse. Her grades declined sharply, and she withdrew from once-enjoyed activities like ROTC, roller skating, and trips to the beach. According to the suit, she began self-harming and even attempted suicide after her father cut off her access to both platforms.

The lawsuit, spanning over 100 pages, claims the case reflects systemic failures by both Roblox and Discord to safeguard children. “This action is not just a battle to vindicate Plaintiff's rights—it is a stand against Defendants' systemic failures to protect society's most vulnerable from unthinkable harm in pursuit of financial gain over child safety,” the filing states.

Challenging Corporate Safety Claims

The complaint directly challenges public statements made by both companies' executives. Roblox CEO David Baszucki has frequently claimed child safety is a top priority. Similarly, Discord’s former CEO has touted a “zero-tolerance policy” regarding sexual misconduct involving minors.

Yet, the lawsuit cites multiple investigations into child safety issues on both platforms:

• A Bloomberg report alleging a persistent "Pedophile Problem" on Roblox

• A Hindenburg Research investigation alleging "Inflated Key Metrics For Wall Street And A Pedophile Hellscape For Kids" on the platform

The suit also alleges that Roblox’s Parent’s Guide misrepresented the platform’s actual safety measures. The victim’s father reportedly consulted the guide before approving his daughter’s use of the platform.

Proposed Safety Reforms

The legal filing outlines several recommended safeguards, including:

• Stronger age verification at account creation

• Real-name registration to deter predators

• Enhanced parental monitoring tools

• Transparent moderation policies

Company Responses

In a statement to Polygon, a Roblox spokesperson said:

“Roblox is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our community. Protecting children is a top priority. We invest significant resources in advanced technology, including robust filters and human moderation teams.”

Discord issued a similar response via The Game Developer, stating it is “deeply committed to the safety of our users” and “takes decisive action when we detect violations of our policies.”

Growing Legal and Regulatory Pressure

This is not the first time Roblox has faced legal scrutiny over child safety. In February 2025, Anapol Weiss filed a similar suit alleging that a 13-year-old boy had been "horrifically and traumatically sexually exploited" on the platform.

Meanwhile, government investigations are ramping up:

• Florida’s attorney general subpoenaed Roblox on April 16, requesting details about marketing practices, age verification, and chat moderation.

• Just a day later, New Jersey’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against Discord, accusing it of "deceptive and unconscionable business practices."

In addition, Roblox is part of an ongoing U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation, first revealed by a Bloomberg FOIA request earlier this year.

What Comes Next

The suit seeks a jury trial and brings forward multiple charges, including fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, failure to warn, unreasonable design, and strict liability.