Florida AG Alleges Roblox Is A Predator “Breeding Ground,” Opens Investigation

TITLE: Florida AG Launches Criminal Probe Into Roblox’s Child Safety Practices

Florida Attorney General Targets Roblox Platform Safety

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has initiated a formal criminal investigation into Roblox Corporation, alleging the popular online gaming platform serves as a “breeding ground” for predators targeting children. The investigation represents one of the most significant legal challenges yet for the company that boasts nearly 40% of its users under age 13.

Florida Attorney General Targets Roblox Platform Safety
Multiple States Take Legal Action
The Robux Connection to Predatory Behavior
Industry-Wide Implications for Online Safety

In a strongly worded announcement from his office, Uthmeier declared that his team is issuing “criminal subpoenas” to Roblox Corporation, accusing the company of “profiting off of our kids and exposing them to the most dangerous of harms.” The investigation aims to determine whether Roblox’s actions—or lack thereof—have facilitated child exploitation on its platform.

Multiple States Take Legal Action

Florida’s investigation joins a growing wave of legal actions against Roblox. Attorney General Russell Coleman of Kentucky and Attorney General Liz Murrill of Louisiana have already filed lawsuits against the company, alleging failure to protect children and facilitation of child sexual abuse material distribution. These legal challenges follow a June 2024 Bloomberg investigation that revealed widespread predatory behavior on the platform.

Additional lawsuits filed in Georgia and St. Louis detail disturbing cases where children as young as eight and thirteen were allegedly targeted by predators through the platform. The timing of these legal actions contradicts Roblox’s assertion that negative press stems from “five years ago,” as court documents show these incidents occurred recently., according to related coverage

The Robux Connection to Predatory Behavior

According to the full subpoena documents, investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting predators are using Roblox’s in-game currency, Robux, to groom minors. This financial component adds a troubling dimension to the safety concerns, implying that the company‘s revenue model may be indirectly facilitating harmful interactions.

Roblox Corporation must now respond to the subpoena and appear before Tampa-based Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Rita Pavan Peters on December 20. The hearing will likely address both the specific allegations and the company’s broader safety protocols.

Industry-Wide Implications for Online Safety

The investigation raises critical questions about responsibility and accountability in online platforms catering to children. As Uthmeier stated in an October 20 video posted to social media platform X, “Companies like Roblox have become breeding grounds for predators to get to and have access to our kids.”

The Attorney General emphasized his commitment to child protection, declaring, “At the end of the day, we will stop at nothing to fight to protect our kids. And companies that act carelessly and expose them to harm will be held accountable.”

This case could establish important precedents for how online platforms—particularly those with significant minor user bases—implement and maintain safety measures. The outcome may influence regulatory approaches to child protection across the gaming and social media industries., as comprehensive coverage

As the December hearing approaches, industry observers will be watching closely to see how Roblox responds to these serious allegations and whether other states will join the growing legal challenge against the platform.