Los Angeles Files Lawsuit Against Roblox Over Alleged Child Exploitation Risks

20 February 2026

The City of Los Angeles has filed a sweeping lawsuit against the popular gaming platform Roblox, accusing the company of failing to adequately protect children from grooming, sexual exploitation and predatory behavior within its virtual worlds. The legal action, announced by city officials this week, marks one of the most aggressive efforts yet by a major municipality to hold a tech platform accountable for alleged harms faced by minors online.

According to the complaint, Roblox has created an environment that city attorneys claim is rife with opportunities for predators to contact and manipulate young users. The lawsuit alleges that despite marketing itself as a safe and family friendly space, the platform has not implemented sufficient safeguards to prevent inappropriate communication and exploitative conduct. Officials argue that children as young as elementary school age are being exposed to explicit material and adult interactions in spaces that appear playful and harmless on the surface.

Roblox, which allows users to design games and interact through customizable avatars, has long been popular with children and teens. Its colorful interface and creative tools have made it one of the most downloaded gaming apps in the world. However, city leaders now contend that behind the playful graphics lies a system that enables private messaging, virtual transactions and user generated experiences that can be manipulated by bad actors. The lawsuit claims that predators have used these features to build trust with minors before attempting to move conversations off the platform to more private channels.

Los Angeles officials also point to alleged financial exploitation, arguing that the platform encourages children to spend large amounts of money on in game currency and digital items. They claim that Roblox’s monetization model pressures young users into repeated purchases, sometimes without fully understanding the real world costs involved. The suit contends that these practices not only target vulnerable users but also contribute to environments where inappropriate interactions can flourish.

In a public statement, city representatives described the lawsuit as a necessary step to protect families and demand stronger oversight of online spaces frequented by children. They stressed that as digital platforms increasingly become part of daily life, companies must take greater responsibility for the safety of their youngest users. The city is seeking penalties, reforms to Roblox’s safety systems and potential restitution related to alleged violations of consumer protection laws.

Roblox has pushed back against the claims, asserting that the company has invested heavily in moderation technology, age verification systems and safety tools designed to identify and remove harmful content. Representatives for the platform say they employ thousands of moderators and use artificial intelligence to detect inappropriate behavior. They maintain that the company is committed to creating a safe environment and that the lawsuit misrepresents its efforts.

The case arrives amid growing national concern over children’s safety on social media and gaming platforms. Lawmakers across the country have introduced proposals aimed at increasing transparency and imposing stricter standards on tech companies. Advocacy groups argue that the rapid expansion of interactive online spaces has outpaced regulatory frameworks, leaving gaps in oversight that can be exploited.

As the legal battle unfolds, the lawsuit is likely to reignite broader conversations about the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding minors. For parents, educators and policymakers, the case underscores the tension between innovation and accountability in a digital world where entertainment, social interaction and commerce intersect.