LA County lawsuit accuses Roblox of exposing children to 'grooming and exploitation'

Engadget

by Steve Dent

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, accusing the popular gaming platform of failing to protect children from exploitation and grooming by inadequate moderation and age-verification systems. The complaint alleges that Roblox markets itself as a safe space for kids but has designed its platform in a way that makes children vulnerable to predators. Specifically, the suit claims that Roblox has failed to effectively monitor game content, enforce age-appropriate restrictions, or disclose risks such as sexual content and predator activity. This comes after several other U.S. states, including Florida, Texas, Kentucky, and Louisiana, have filed similar lawsuits, accusing Roblox of prioritizing growth and profits over child safety. Roblox has rejected these allegations, stating that its platform is built with safety in mind. The company highlights advanced safeguards, such as monitoring for harmful content and preventing the sharing of images through chat—a feature they note reduces opportunities for misuse seen elsewhere online. Despite these claims, concerns about Roblox’s safety measures have persisted. In 2024, the platform banned players under 13 from accessing certain in-game content and restricted messaging outside specific games. Earlier last year, Roblox also began requiring tens of millions of children to verify their age with a selfie. The lawsuits against Roblox highlight a broader tension between innovation and responsibility in tech platforms, particularly those aimed at children. With over 144 million daily active users worldwide, nearly half under the age of 13, Roblox’s role in child safety has come under increasing scrutiny. The allegations raise important questions about how tech companies balance growth with their duty to protect young users from harm. As legal battles continue across multiple states, the outcome could set a significant precedent for platform accountability in the tech industry.

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Originally published on Engadget on 2/20/2026