State of Louisiana Sues Roblox Over Child Safety and Sexual Exploitation Concerns

The State of Louisiana is suing Roblox, accusing the platform of "knowingly enabling and facilitating the systemic sexual exploitation and abuse of children" by "allowing and perpetuating an online environment in which child predators thrive."

The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General Liz Murrill on August 14, 2025, in the 21st Judicial District Court of Livingston Parish.

The 42-page complaint outlines several instances where Roblox allegedly facilitated child exploitation, including an arrest that took place on July 15, 2025, in Livingston Parish. The suspect, who possessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM), used Roblox along with voice-altering technology to mimic a young female voice in attempts to lure children for sexual exploitation. According to the lawsuit, this case highlights the broader risks present on the platform for Louisiana’s youth.

Key Allegations in the Lawsuit

Attorney General Murrill’s complaint targets multiple areas of concern regarding Roblox’s platform safety measures:

Facilitation of Sexual Exploitation

Roblox is accused of providing an "environment" where predators can groom children, share CSAM, and solicit sexually explicit images. The lawsuit mentions hundreds of games and accounts that exploit well-known figures’ names, such as “Escape to Epstein Island” or "Diddy Party", to create opportunities for predatory interactions.

Some chat groups and “experiences” allow open trading of explicit content, while predators reportedly use Robux, Roblox’s in-game currency, to extort children. The complaint claims that Roblox profits from these transactions indirectly, as it collects transaction fees from all Robux purchases.

Exposure to Inappropriate Content to "All"

Children on Roblox are often exposed to sexually explicit content, even in games marked as “All Ages.” The lawsuit mentions titles like “Public Bathroom Simulator Vibe,” which grants access to users as young as nine and lets them simulate sexual activity in virtual bathrooms, and “Virtual Strip Clubs,” where child avatars engage in explicit acts, such as performing lap dances for patrons.

The complaint notes studies linking early exposure to sexual content with risky behavior and increased vulnerability to online predators. According to the lawsuit, such content creates a “victim-victimizer pipeline” where exploited children may later be at risk of becoming perpetrators themselves.

Failures in Age Verification and Moderation

Roblox relies on self-reported birthdays for age verification, making it easy for children to lie about their age or for predators to pose as minors. Although biometric age verification software exists, the platform does not require it for new account creation.

The platform’s moderation team, consisting of roughly 3,000 employees, is considered insufficient for 112 million daily users, leaving many inappropriate interactions undetected. AI filters are reportedly easy to bypass using emojis, alternate spellings, or misspellings. Until November 2024, adults could freely message children, and even now, restrictions exist primarily outside user-created “experiences,” leaving some vulnerability intact.

Profit Over Safety

The lawsuit accuses Roblox of misleading parents and users by promoting itself as “safe for children” while simultaneously prioritizing engagement and Robux sales. Children often become highly motivated to purchase Robux to acquire "rare" in-game items, and in some cases, they would do "anything for Robux," even comply with adult requests.

Internal documents and earnings calls reportedly show that Roblox has consistently downplayed trust and safety costs, rejecting proposals for parental approval pop-ups and other safety enhancements. The state claims this deliberate choice exposes children to harm while boosting Roblox’s revenue.

Requested Relief by Louisiana

Attorney General Murrill is seeking multiple remedies, including:

• A permanent injunction preventing Roblox from misrepresenting safety features or allowing unsafe practices.

• Restitution for Louisiana consumers, including refunds for Robux purchases.

• Reimbursement for legal costs, including attorneys’ fees.

• Civil penalties and other damages under Louisiana law.

• A jury trial on all claims to assess harm and liability.

Roblox’s Response

In a press release, Roblox acknowledged that “while no system is perfect,” they claimed the company invests “substantial resources, including advanced technology and 24/7 human moderation, to help detect and prevent inappropriate content and behavior, including attempts to direct users off platform.”

The company also emphasizes its "partnerships with over 20 leading global organizations dedicated to child safety and internet safety."

While denying the allegation, the company acknowledged that there's "always more work to be done" and reaffirmed its dedication to making Roblox "a safe and positive environment for all users."