Louisiana Sues Roblox for Child Safety Claims

Louisiana’s top prosecutor filed a lawsuit against Roblox alleging weak safety measures and no effective age checks expose minors to risk.

Louisiana Sues Roblox for Child Safety Claims

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a 42-page lawsuit in the state’s 21st Judicial District, accusing Roblox Corp. of designing a platform with no effective age verification and allowing adults to pose as children. The suit says the platform serves tens of millions of users, with about 20 percent under age nine, and points to sexually explicit experiences such as “Escape to Epstein Island” as examples of harmful content. It also notes a Louisiana arrest last month of a man suspected of possessing child sexual abuse material who allegedly used Roblox at the time of his arrest. The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction under the state’s unfair trade practices act and challenges Roblox’s claims that its safety features are adequate.

Roblox responded with a statement that it dedicates substantial resources to detect and prevent inappropriate content and that no system is perfect. It highlighted safety safeguards like restrictions on sharing personal information, links, and user-to-user image sharing, and noted safety is a top priority. The company also referenced safety updates announced in November that barred users under 13 from sending direct messages and added new content categories to guide age-appropriate experiences.

The case tests how far states can push platforms to prove their safety practices protect children online. If successful, it could sharpen regulatory scrutiny on age verification, content moderation, and the marketing of safety features. The broader question is whether business incentives to grow a platform can coexist with robust safeguards, and how courts balance transparency with corporate security needs.

Beyond Roblox, the suit underscores rising public concern about children’s online spaces and could influence investor sentiment and legislative posture. Regulators may push clearer safety data, independent audits, or stricter requirements for platforms that host user-generated content. The outcome may shape how other tech firms approach moderation, exposure controls, and parental controls in the months ahead.

Highlights

The case could redefine how digital spaces balance openness with responsibility.