US groups demand probe into child safety and spending risks on Roblox
Campaigners filed a formal complaint with US regulators Wednesday alleging minors as young as five face unsafe contact and financial exploitation on Roblox. The groups demand immediate investigations into moderation failures and billing practices.
Consumer advocacy organizations and child safety groups filed a sweeping complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Product Safety Commission on Wednesday, accusing Roblox of systemic failures that endanger children and enable unauthorized spending.
Key Points
- ⚠️ Complaint filed with FTC and CPSC on May 14, 2025
- ✅ Allegations include unsafe contact with adults and financial coercion of minors
- 💡 Groups demand immediate regulatory action and public transparency reports
Among the complainants is the nonprofit FairPlay, alongside the National Consumers League and the Parent Coalition for Safe Gaming. The coalition claims internal documents and user reports reveal persistent gaps in Roblox’s moderation systems, allowing adults to groom children within gaming environments designed for young users.
Roblox, which reports over 77 million daily active users globally, has long positioned itself as a family-friendly platform. Yet the complaint cites hundreds of incident logs showing that predators exploit in-game chat features and virtual currency systems to manipulate children into making unauthorized purchases. Some cases involve children as young as five being pressured into buying Robux—Roblox’s in-game currency—by peers or adults posing as friends.
📋 By The Numbers
- 77 million — Roblox’s reported daily active users worldwide
- 1.8 billion — Total Robux spent by users in 2024
- 6,200 — Number of moderator reports flagged as high-risk in Q1 2025
The coalition also highlights billing irregularities, including recurring charges on parents’ credit cards without consent. In one documented case, a child in Ohio unknowingly spent $300 over two days after being tricked into a fake “free Robux” scam. Despite refund requests, Roblox’s customer service reportedly delayed responses for weeks, leaving families financially exposed.
💡 Pro Tip
Parents should disable in-game chat and set up purchase approvals in Roblox’s parental controls. Use strong passwords and monitor credit card statements linked to gaming accounts to prevent unauthorized transactions.
Roblox has previously touted its safety measures, including AI moderation tools and a trust and safety team of over 2,500 employees. However, the complaint argues these systems are insufficient. According to internal emails leaked by a former employee, moderators are overwhelmed by the volume of reports, with an average response time of 48 hours—far too slow for high-risk cases.
| Safety Feature | Roblox Claim | Complaint Findings |
|---|---|---|
| AI Moderation | 99.9% detection rate for inappropriate content | False positives at 37% in chat logs; predators bypass filters using coded language |
| Parental Controls | Settings reset without notice; purchases still processed automatically |
Regulators are expected to respond within 30 days. A Roblox spokesperson declined to comment on the complaint but stated the company remains committed to enhancing safety and transparency. The outcome could reshape how gaming platforms are regulated and force Roblox to overhaul its moderation and billing systems—or face legal consequences.
- 🔍 Nearly 40% of high-risk moderation reports involve children under 8 years old
- 📊 The average unauthorized spend per child case is $175, but amounts over $500 are common in scam-related purchases
- ⚠️ Roblox’s age verification system relies on self-reported birthdates, which predators exploit by claiming to be younger
If the complaint gains traction, it could mark a turning point in how digital platforms are held accountable for child safety. The coalition is calling not only for an investigation but also for mandatory third-party audits and public disclosure of moderation metrics. Legal experts suggest this case could set a precedent for future enforcement actions against tech companies failing to protect minors online.