Roblox Faces New Child Safety Probe From South Carolina Attorney General
- Sagar Mankar
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
South Carolina has opened a new investigation into Roblox, adding to the growing number of states scrutinizing the platform over child safety.
Kentucky, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and Iowa have already launched investigations that resulted in lawsuits against Roblox Corporation. Now, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined the effort, announcing on December 16 that his office has issued a Civil Investigative Demand under the South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act. The demand seeks detailed information on how Roblox moderates user-generated content, markets to minors, and communicates safety protections to parents.
In a press release, Attorney General Wilson explained that the investigation will examine whether Roblox engaged in unfair or deceptive practices by promoting itself as a safe environment for children while allegedly allowing sexualized content and inadequate protections. “Roblox markets itself as the top gaming platform for kids and teens,” Wilson said. “But ensuring the safety of our children online is a top priority for me, and if Roblox is deceiving parents on their safety protocols, they deserve to be held accountable.”
Wilson reiterated his stance in a statement shared on X. “Our kids’ online safety is non-negotiable,” he said, adding that platforms marketing themselves to children must protect them rather than expose them to harmful or deceptive practices.
In response to allegations, Roblox issued a statement in the media emphasizing its commitment to child safety and cooperation with law enforcement. Matt Kaufman, the company’s Chief Safety Officer, explained that Roblox has implemented advanced safeguards designed to monitor harmful content and communications. He highlighted that image sharing through chat is prohibited on the platform, noting that such features are often exploited elsewhere.
Kaufman also revealed that Roblox is rolling out new measures to further restrict who users can communicate with, while continuing to take swift action against accounts that violate safety rules. “Safety is a constant and consistent focus of our work,” Kaufman said, stressing that the company works closely with law enforcement to support investigations and hold offenders accountable.
Roblox provided additional background on its safety systems, claiming its policies are stricter than those of many other user-generated content platforms. All communication is monitored for serious harms, and filters are in place to block personal information sharing. Addressing age verification, Kaufman acknowledged the challenge as industry-wide but said Roblox has adopted what it considers an industry-leading approach. The company plans to roll out global age estimation technology by the end of the year, ensuring users are verified before being allowed to communicate.
Roblox also pointed to its partnerships with law enforcement and child safety organizations, including direct communication channels with the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
With multiple states now investigating Roblox, the company faces mounting pressure to prove that its safety measures are effective and transparent.