Federal Trade Commission Urged to Investigate Roblox Over Allegations of Child Predators, Grooming Risks
Child safety and digital safeguarding advocates have called on the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Roblox Corporation. They raised concerns about alleged risks facing children on the platform.
The request was submitted through a formal complaint by Fairplay and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE). Several child advocacy and digital rights organizations also joined the call for action. They want the FTC to determine whether Roblox may have violated Section 5 of the FTC Act. The law prohibits unfair and deceptive business practices.
Roblox is one of the world’s largest online gaming platforms. It reports more than 30 million daily users under the age of 13. Advocates say this level of child participation demands stronger safety systems. They also call for stricter oversight of platform operations.
In the complaint, the groups raised concerns about children encountering harmful online interactions. They allege some minors have been contacted by predators. Others may have seen sexually explicit content or faced grooming attempts. The submission also claims that some children were subjected to extortion. According to the advocates, existing safeguards have not fully prevented unknown adults from reaching children.
“Children have been contacted and groomed by predators despite warnings over the years,” said Haley McNamara of NCOSE. She urged immediate regulatory scrutiny to strengthen child protection measures.
The coalition backing the complaint includes the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Federation of America, and EPIC. Others are the Institute for Families and Technology, The Anxious Generation Movement, Young People’s Alliance, and ParentsSOS. Together, they are pushing for stronger accountability across digital platforms.
Advocates argue that the aim goes beyond enforcement action. Instead, they want stronger global safeguarding standards for children online. They say platforms with large child audiences must improve age verification and content moderation. They also recommend tighter controls on communication features.
Roblox has previously stated that it continues to invest in safety updates. The company says these updates aim to reduce unwanted contact and improve child protection systems.
For now, the FTC has not confirmed whether it will launch a formal investigation.
