Roblox's problematic moderation: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Incomplete}}Since [[Roblox]] launched in 2004, its moderation has been problematic for its consumers. From an obscene chat filter that has made communication on the platform difficult,<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Gregheffley95 |date=Feb 26, 2021 |title=Roblox censors almost everything |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619214011/https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |archive-date=Jun 19, 2023 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Mar 7, 2017 |title=Why the hell are numbers censored! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/5y0w3z/why_the_hell_are_numbers_censored/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Roblox}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=JParty |date=Feb 24, 2017 |title=Updates to Chat Privacy API + New Account Indicators + Changes to Text Filtering APIs |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updates-to-chat-privacy-api-new-account-indicators-changes-to-text-filtering-apis/33867 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Dev Forum}}</ref> to the indirect encouragement of illegal behaviors on the platform intended for young audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Jan 9, 2024 |title=this simulator should NOT be on roblox... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMdacOJxmjU |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Apr 14, 2024 |title=Roblox Needs to BAN These Games... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3FeYfJOhw |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> | ||
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
{{ | No online platform is immune to child predators, especially those geared towards extremely young audiences, however, [[Roblox]] has had an extensive history regarding its poor handling of said individuals on the platform. The child predator problem has been exacerbated recently by a decision from the CEO David Baszucki to integrate dating features to the game,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baqery |first=Mohsen |date=Jul 30, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO Has Suggested the Worst Idea Possible |url=https://gamerant.com/roblox-ceo-worst-idea-dating-sim/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=GameRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norton |first=Brad |date=Jul 15, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO wants adults to use platform as a dating service |url=https://www.dexerto.com/roblox/roblox-ceo-wants-adults-to-use-platform-as-a-dating-service-3226769/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Dexerto}}</ref> despite at minimum 40% of the game's population being under 13 years old.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Connor |first=Jak |date=Jul 29, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO wants to add an in-game dating feature, despite 40% of players being under 13yrs old |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/106712/roblox-ceo-wants-to-add-an-in-game-dating-feature-despite-40-of-players-being-under-13yrs-old/index.html |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=TweakTown}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Problematic moderation<!--https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/-->== | ||
Beyond a questionable chat filtering system, [[Roblox]] has been risky for underage audiences playing on the platform | |||
=== | ===Roblox's response=== | ||
So far, [[Roblox]] has done the following regarding its child predator problem: | |||
* Threatened the content creator Schlep with litigation over vigilantism,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMqAw_NjHK8&t |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Huang |first=Marcus |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox YouTuber Battles Child Predators {{!}} Accounts Terminated Amid Backlash |url=https://leveluptalk.com/news/roblox-youtuber-fights-child-predators-banned/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Level Up Talk}}</ref> despite cited neglect from the moderation by the user.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
* The integration of an open-source AI-powered system (Sentinel) to spy on chats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ortutay |first=Barbara |date=Aug 7, 2025 |title=Roblox rolls out open-source AI system to protect kids from predators in chats |url=https://apnews.com/article/roblox-grooming-messages-ai-kids-teens-9e9d4131d46b80eead3e57b1110d48eb |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> | |||
== | ==Lawsuits<!--https://www.anapolweiss.com/blog/roblox-enabled-child-exploitationnow-its-trying-to-dodge-accountability-in-court-we-wont-let-that-happen/ https://www.gamethemedia.com/the-crime-history-of-roblox-->== | ||
{{ | {{Incomplete section}} | ||
Litigation has been frequent for the platform regarding its neglect to handle child predators for several years now.<!--Trying to get scaffolding done here, first time in a while we got a bunch of litigation for an ongoing problem. Going to take more labor to summarize each case adequately.--> | |||
=== ''S.U. v. Roblox et al. (Oct 2022 - Ongoing)''<!--https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/california/candce/3:2023cv04146/416876/108/0.pdf--> === | |||
=== ''State v. Darius Matylewich (Sept. 2023)''<!--https://www.justice.gov/usao-de/pr/delaware-man-sentenced-240-months-coercing-11-year-old-new-jersey-resident-travel--> === | |||
=== ''State v. Franciou Romelus (Jan - Apr 2024)''<!--https://www.fox13news.com/news/man-arrested-for-stalking-attacking-14-year-old-girl-he-met-online-tpd--> === | |||
=== ''U.S. v. Daniel Aravena Oliva'' (Aug 2024)<!--https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/55330930/USA_v_Aravena_Oliva https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-22/chilean-arrest-roblox-child-exploitation--> === | |||
=== ''State v. Christian Scribben'' (Feb 2025)<!--https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/04/30/17-year-old-arrested-in-marion-county-accused-of-sexually-exploiting-children-on-roblox/ https://www.ocala-news.com/2025/05/02/ocala-teen-jailed-for-exploiting-children-he-met-on-video-game/--> === | |||
=== ''State v. Matthew Naval'' (Apr 2025)<!--https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/man-accused-of-kidnapping-taft-girl-charged-with-7-felonies/ https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/elk-grove/missing-kern-county-child-found-elk-grove-suspected-kidnapper/103-53c26187-7d46-4b43-964a-1010c1bf07c5--> === | |||
=== Florida Attorney-General Subpoena & Multi-State Scrutiny (July 2025)<!--https://www.gamethemedia.com/the-crime-history-of-roblox Following Naval’s kidnapping and Doe litigation, Florida AG James Uthmeier demanded Roblox hand over data on age-verification, moderation logs and abuse reports , warning of legal action if safety promises prove hollow . Several states now coordinate on social-media harms to minors. Why it matters: Regulatory investigations may impose binding safety mandates faster than courts.--> === | |||
==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||
{{ | Users such as Schlep have turned to vigilantism due to the negligence of the platform's own moderation teams.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Feb 7, 2024 |title=I Caught a Roblox PREDATOR in this game... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQMSc-9jGMQ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | |||
Revision as of 21:06, 10 August 2025
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Since Roblox launched in 2004, its moderation has been problematic for its consumers. From an obscene chat filter that has made communication on the platform difficult,[1][2][3] to the indirect encouragement of illegal behaviors on the platform intended for young audiences.[4][5]
Background
No online platform is immune to child predators, especially those geared towards extremely young audiences, however, Roblox has had an extensive history regarding its poor handling of said individuals on the platform. The child predator problem has been exacerbated recently by a decision from the CEO David Baszucki to integrate dating features to the game,[6][7] despite at minimum 40% of the game's population being under 13 years old.[8]
Problematic moderation
Beyond a questionable chat filtering system, Roblox has been risky for underage audiences playing on the platform
Roblox's response
So far, Roblox has done the following regarding its child predator problem:
- Threatened the content creator Schlep with litigation over vigilantism,[9][10] despite cited neglect from the moderation by the user.[9]
- The integration of an open-source AI-powered system (Sentinel) to spy on chats.[11]
Lawsuits
This section is incomplete. This notice can be deleted once all the placeholder text has been replaced.
Litigation has been frequent for the platform regarding its neglect to handle child predators for several years now.
S.U. v. Roblox et al. (Oct 2022 - Ongoing)
State v. Darius Matylewich (Sept. 2023)
State v. Franciou Romelus (Jan - Apr 2024)
U.S. v. Daniel Aravena Oliva (Aug 2024)
State v. Christian Scribben (Feb 2025)
Florida Attorney-General Subpoena & Multi-State Scrutiny (July 2025)
Consumer response
Users such as Schlep have turned to vigilantism due to the negligence of the platform's own moderation teams.[12]
References
- ↑ u/Gregheffley95 (Feb 26, 2021). "Roblox censors almost everything". Reddit. Archived from the original on Jun 19, 2023. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Why the hell are numbers censored!". Reddit - r/Roblox. Mar 7, 2017. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ JParty (Feb 24, 2017). "Updates to Chat Privacy API + New Account Indicators + Changes to Text Filtering APIs". Roblox Dev Forum. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ Schlep (Jan 9, 2024). "this simulator should NOT be on roblox..." YouTube. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ Schlep (Apr 14, 2024). "Roblox Needs to BAN These Games..." YouTube. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ Baqery, Mohsen (Jul 30, 2025). "Roblox CEO Has Suggested the Worst Idea Possible". GameRant. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ Norton, Brad (Jul 15, 2025). "Roblox CEO wants adults to use platform as a dating service". Dexerto. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ Connor, Jak (Jul 29, 2025). "Roblox CEO wants to add an in-game dating feature, despite 40% of players being under 13yrs old". TweakTown. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Schlep (Aug 9, 2025). "Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids". YouTube. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ Huang, Marcus (Aug 9, 2025). "Roblox YouTuber Battles Child Predators | Accounts Terminated Amid Backlash". Level Up Talk. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ Ortutay, Barbara (Aug 7, 2025). "Roblox rolls out open-source AI system to protect kids from predators in chats". Associated Press. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
- ↑ Schlep (Feb 7, 2024). "I Caught a Roblox PREDATOR in this game..." YouTube. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.