Roblox's problematic moderation: Difference between revisions
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<!--Message for any fellow editors: I have tried my best to filter this information to be PG-13, however, the information you WILL find regarding Roblox's negligence with their moderation is something that will require taking a break here or there. I personally am desensitized to a lot, but even I have been needing to pause my edits just to recharge. - JamesTDG--> | <!--Message for any fellow editors: I have tried my best to filter this information to be PG-13, however, the information you WILL find regarding Roblox's negligence with their moderation is something that will require taking a break here or there. I personally am desensitized to a lot, but even I have been needing to pause my edits just to recharge. - JamesTDG--> | ||
No online platform is immune to child predators, especially those geared towards minor audiences. However, Roblox has an extensive history of poorly handling child predators.<!-- The top part of the article should be a summary / introduction of the whole article content. At the moment, the following two sentences aren't really related to child predators or issues relating to _lack_ of moderation, so they should probably be removed or put in a separate article. --> | No online platform is immune to child predators, especially those geared towards minor audiences. However, [[Roblox]] has an extensive history of poorly handling child predators.<!-- The top part of the article should be a summary / introduction of the whole article content. At the moment, the following two sentences aren't really related to child predators or issues relating to _lack_ of moderation, so they should probably be removed or put in a separate article. --> | ||
Since [[Roblox]] launched in 2004, both its automated and human aspects of moderation have been problematic for its users. Notable issues range from Roblox's obscene chat filter that limit communication on the platform,<ref>{{Cite web |author=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 |author=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>, inconsistent enforcement of guidelines, and the indirect encouragement of illegal behaviors on the platform intended for young audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |author=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 |author=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> | Since [[Roblox]] launched in 2004, both its automated and human aspects of moderation have been problematic for its users. Notable issues range from Roblox's obscene chat filter that limit communication on the platform,<ref>{{Cite web |author=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 |author=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>, inconsistent enforcement of guidelines, and the indirect encouragement of illegal behaviors on the platform intended for young audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |author=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 |author=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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In July 2025, Roblox's CEO David Baszucki suggested that in the future dating features will be added to the platform for users aged 21 or older.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-09 |title=The Story: Roblox and the 'Prehistoric Era' of Gaming w/ David Baszucki - TechStuff |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YW2cYqRprKx4i5a1dxH81 |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Spotify}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{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 name=":1">{{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> However some people have expressed concern at this idea, because at minimum 40% of the game's population is 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> and a further 16% of users are between 13 and 16 years old.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Nicholas |date=Nov 10, 2022 |title=Roblox Dev Arrested for Kidnapping: Who is Arnold Castillo (aka Jadon Shedletsky)? |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/913144-roblox-dev-arrested-developer-who-is-arnold-castillo-jadon-shedletsky |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=Game Revolution}}</ref> It is also known that ID verification mechanisms can be easily bypassed, which would enable underage children to access these features.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | In July 2025, Roblox's CEO David Baszucki suggested that in the future dating features will be added to the platform for users aged 21 or older.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-09 |title=The Story: Roblox and the 'Prehistoric Era' of Gaming w/ David Baszucki - TechStuff |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YW2cYqRprKx4i5a1dxH81 |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Spotify}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{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 name=":1">{{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> However some people have expressed concern at this idea, because at minimum 40% of the game's population is 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> and a further 16% of users are between 13 and 16 years old.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Nicholas |date=Nov 10, 2022 |title=Roblox Dev Arrested for Kidnapping: Who is Arnold Castillo (aka Jadon Shedletsky)? |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/913144-roblox-dev-arrested-developer-who-is-arnold-castillo-jadon-shedletsky |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=Game Revolution}}</ref> It is also known that ID verification mechanisms can be easily bypassed, which would enable underage children to access these features.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | ||
<!-- These concerns about ID verification / age-restricted features are not really related to child predators and should be moved to a different article --><!-- Improve these two pieces of information about how the platform handles child predators and make the prose / context better --> | <!-- These concerns about ID verification / age-restricted features are not really related to child predators and should be moved to a different article --><!-- Improve these two pieces of information about how the platform handles child predators and make the prose / context better -->In August 2025, the platform integrated the 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> In the same month, [[Roblox]] announced their collaboration with law enforcement according to a blog post.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Matt |date=Aug 7, 2025 |title=How Roblox Partners With Law Enforcement |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/how-roblox-partners-law-enforcement |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Blog}}</ref> | ||
==Platform flaws== | |||
The platform does not require ID verification for registering accounts under age 17, meaning predators are able to opaquely pretend to be children while interacting with the platform and other users.<!-- Refs 14, 15, 16: Needs archiving please! Also, some publication dates only provide info on the month/year, so they have been defaulted to the first day of the month. May be recommended to update this info. --> | |||
== | Beyond a questionable chat filtering system that both over-moderates content,<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/TrXploit |date=Oct 30, 2023 |title=It's just for me, or the filter got worse? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/17jxexz/its_just_for_me_or_the_filter_got_worse/ |access-date=Jan 29, 2026 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=FUJiCHROME |date=Jun 1, 2024 |title=Chat filter has gotten noticeably worse in the past week |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/chat-filter-has-gotten-noticeably-worse-in-the-past-week/3038806/ |access-date=Jan 29, 2026 |website=[[Roblox]] Developer Forums}}</ref> as well as being capable of being easily bypassed,<ref>{{Cite web |last=retalberisha |date=Jun 1, 2025 |title=bypasses chat |url=https://scriptblox.com/script/Universal-Script-bypasses-chat-38352 |access-date=Jan 29, 2026 |website=ScriptBlox}}</ref> Roblox has historically underinvested in adequate moderation for its user base. The moderation team is excessively small compared to its competitors, a documented 100-200 moderation on-staff compared to [[Fortnite]]'s 1,000+ and [[Minecraft]]'s 500+ members on the moderation staff.{{Citation needed|reason=Existing source is on [[source blacklist]]}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=Sep 17, 2024 |title=Why is Roblox moderation so bad? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/why-is-roblox-moderation-so-bad/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=Games Learning Society}}</ref><!--I don't feel so confident about this source, so if we can get something that feels more concrete, I would appreciate it, since this is some vital data. - Unknown | ||
The | |||
Considering the source is on a blacklist, it is definitely a good idea to replace it... - JamesTDG--> Combined with a lack of investment in adequate moderation tools,<ref>{{Cite news |date=Jul 24, 2024 |title=All Roblox Controversies Explained (2024) |url=https://screenrant.com/roblox-controversies-moderation-bad/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 9, 2024 |title=Roblox VC moderation is terrible |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/comments/1c05qqs/roblox_vc_moderation_is_terrible/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/ROBLOXBans}}</ref> it has become responsible for an excess of younger audiences being harmed on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dinunzio |first=Caitlin |date=Dec 21, 2021 |title=Roblox Accused Of Being Unsafe For Children In Viral Video |url=https://screenrant.com/roblox-accusations-safety-children-people-make-games/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref> <!-- This is a strong claim, it should be backed up with evidence e.g. that Roblox are underinvesting, that there are things they could be doing that they are not doing, and people are being harmed by the particular attack vectors that are left open by Roblox not doing things --> | |||
Reported by Hindenburg Research, the platform outsources its moderation to call centers within Asia, many of which are paid poorly and often lack the literacy to adequately handle cases,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=Oct 8, 2024 |title=Roblox: Inflated Key Metrics For Wall Street And A Pedophile Hellscape For Kids |url=https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=Hindenburg Research}}</ref> and their systems required multiple offenses to even incite a temporary ban. The former moderator they interviewed cited their poor resources as a key issue as to why he would refuse to let any kids he knew to play the game.<!--https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ Mentions how there are several accounts that use the names of known pedophiles--> | Reported by Hindenburg Research, the platform outsources its moderation to call centers within Asia, many of which are paid poorly and often lack the literacy to adequately handle cases,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=Oct 8, 2024 |title=Roblox: Inflated Key Metrics For Wall Street And A Pedophile Hellscape For Kids |url=https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=Hindenburg Research}}</ref> and their systems required multiple offenses to even incite a temporary ban. The former moderator they interviewed cited their poor resources as a key issue as to why he would refuse to let any kids he knew to play the game.<!--https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ Mentions how there are several accounts that use the names of known pedophiles--> | ||
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“You maybe see it in the numbers going down or the profits going down. Then whether you like it or not, you kind of just have to reconsider your option[s], because once you’re a public company, you’re answering to all the investors.”</blockquote>This statement in summary represented how the platform intentionally refused to integrate features to protect underage users on the platform, exclusively for the purposes of inflating the game's population to appease the platform's shareholders. | “You maybe see it in the numbers going down or the profits going down. Then whether you like it or not, you kind of just have to reconsider your option[s], because once you’re a public company, you’re answering to all the investors.”</blockquote>This statement in summary represented how the platform intentionally refused to integrate features to protect underage users on the platform, exclusively for the purposes of inflating the game's population to appease the platform's shareholders. | ||
The platform's poor moderation choices also led to the formation of the subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/ r/ROBLOXbans], which has extensive posts covering the platform both ignoring mature content <!-- Excessive punishment/absurd moderation infractions aren't really related to this particular article which seems to be focused on issues related to child predators and child safety --> and excessively punishing users over minor or absurd infractions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=r/ROBLOXBans |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/index/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424112358/https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/index/ |archive-date=2025-04-24 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | The platform's poor moderation choices that have led to an excess of innocent individuals compared to legitimately bad actors also led to the formation of the subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/ r/ROBLOXbans], which has extensive posts covering the platform both ignoring mature content <!-- Excessive punishment/absurd moderation infractions aren't really related to this particular article which seems to be focused on issues related to child predators and child safety - Unknown | ||
Handling the connections a bit better now. - JamesTDG --> and excessively punishing users over minor or absurd infractions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=r/ROBLOXBans |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/index/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424112358/https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/index/ |archive-date=2025-04-24 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> This community has documented problems such as IP/Poison bans, which have led to automatic bans and deletions if users simply access public wi-fi access points where other users have faced bans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/ExplodeWasTaken |date=Apr 1, 2025 |title=r/ROBLOXBans - FAQ |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/freqaskedquestions/ |access-date=Jan 30, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | |||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
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When the platform was investigated by journalists working to uncover how the platform was additionally encouraging the exploitation of underage developers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Aug 19, 2021 |title=Investigation: How Roblox Is Exploiting Young Game Developers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games}}</ref> the company aimed to have the report taken down, thus leading to further research from reporters on ''People Make Games'' regarding further harmful moderation controversies.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Dec 13, 2021 |title=Roblox Pressured Us to Delete Our Video. So We Dug Deeper. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMF6xEiAaY&t=10s |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games}}</ref> | When the platform was investigated by journalists working to uncover how the platform was additionally encouraging the exploitation of underage developers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Aug 19, 2021 |title=Investigation: How Roblox Is Exploiting Young Game Developers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games}}</ref> the company aimed to have the report taken down, thus leading to further research from reporters on ''People Make Games'' regarding further harmful moderation controversies.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Dec 13, 2021 |title=Roblox Pressured Us to Delete Our Video. So We Dug Deeper. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMF6xEiAaY&t=10s |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games}}</ref> | ||
In the follow-up video it was revealed that the lead developer, known by the alias of Doc, of the fan game ''Sonic Eclipse Online'' had spread harmful and sexually-charged comments to female developers on his team. While his primary account was removed from the platform, Roblox's moderation team had refused to handle his alternate account which owned all the games he published to the platform, meaning he continued to gain revenue from his project while clearly evading his ban.<ref name=":22" /> Soon after the publication of the video, his game would then be taken down via [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] from [[SEGA]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 5, 2022 |title=Sega took down Sonic Eclipse Online |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3rmxony0mQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - BloxEverlasting}}</ref><!--I need a real article, even if I can find tons of amateur channels documenting this--> It was not until mid-2022 that Doc would receive federal charges for abducting a minor through his predatory behavior on the platform,<ref name=":32" /> and finally be entirely removed from said platform. | In the follow-up video it was revealed that the lead developer, known by the alias of Doc, of the fan game ''Sonic Eclipse Online'' had spread harmful and sexually-charged comments to female developers on his team. While his primary account was removed from the platform, Roblox's moderation team had refused to handle his alternate account which owned all the games he published to the platform, meaning he continued to gain revenue from his project while clearly evading his ban.<ref name=":22" /> Soon after the publication of the video, his game would then be taken down via [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] from [[SEGA]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 5, 2022 |title=Sega took down Sonic Eclipse Online |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3rmxony0mQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - BloxEverlasting}}</ref><!--I need a real article, even if I can find tons of amateur channels documenting this - JamesTDG--> It was not until mid-2022 that Doc would receive federal charges for abducting a minor through his predatory behavior on the platform,<ref name=":32" /> and finally be entirely removed from said platform. | ||
===Schlep=== | |||
Roblox threatened the content creator Schlep with litigation over vigilantism.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |author=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><ref name=":12" /> Schlep cited that neglect from Roblox's moderation team was the reason for his actions.<ref name=":02" /> In response to Roblox's submission of a cease and desist notice to Schlep,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Schlep on X: "Every account I've ever made on Roblox has been terminated... |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954101415564951680 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":02" /> the platform was condemned by the community and California 17<sup>th</sup> Congressional District Representative Ro Khanna,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horetski |first=Dylan |date=Aug 13, 2025 |title=Congressman steps in after Roblox threatens to sue & bans “predator hunter” YouTuber Schlep |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/congressman-steps-in-after-roblox-threatens-to-sue-bans-predator-hunter-youtuber-schlep-3237759/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Dexerto}}</ref> and consumers promoted a hashtag #FreeSchlep in an attempt to get Schlep's account reinstated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-11 |title=Schlep on X: "wow its trending again. 3 days in a row now I was lowkey ... |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954982451350008298 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref> The movement also received support from popular Roblox YouTuber KreekCraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=KreekCraft on X: "Roblox Schlep situation" / X |url=https://x.com/KreekCraft/status/1954215182311297365 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-10 |title=Roblox Banned Schlep - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKOYXcYmxow |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Furthermore, Roblox outlawed vigilante groups on their platform,<ref name=":12" /> causing vigilante group RoCatchers, a predator-catching group, to disband.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=RoCatchers on X: "We sadly have to disband what we're doing on here. ... |url=https://x.com/RoCatchers/status/1954221211581301201 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref> | Roblox threatened the content creator Schlep with litigation over vigilantism.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |author=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><ref name=":12" /> Schlep cited that neglect from Roblox's moderation team was the reason for his actions.<ref name=":02" /> In response to Roblox's submission of a cease and desist notice to Schlep,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Schlep on X: "Every account I've ever made on Roblox has been terminated... |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954101415564951680 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":02" /> the platform was condemned by the community and California 17<sup>th</sup> Congressional District Representative Ro Khanna,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horetski |first=Dylan |date=Aug 13, 2025 |title=Congressman steps in after Roblox threatens to sue & bans “predator hunter” YouTuber Schlep |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/congressman-steps-in-after-roblox-threatens-to-sue-bans-predator-hunter-youtuber-schlep-3237759/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Dexerto}}</ref> and consumers promoted a hashtag #FreeSchlep in an attempt to get Schlep's account reinstated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-11 |title=Schlep on X: "wow its trending again. 3 days in a row now I was lowkey ... |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954982451350008298 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref> The movement also received support from popular Roblox YouTuber KreekCraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=KreekCraft on X: "Roblox Schlep situation" / X |url=https://x.com/KreekCraft/status/1954215182311297365 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-10 |title=Roblox Banned Schlep - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKOYXcYmxow |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Furthermore, Roblox outlawed vigilante groups on their platform,<ref name=":12" /> causing vigilante group RoCatchers, a predator-catching group, to disband.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=RoCatchers on X: "We sadly have to disband what we're doing on here. ... |url=https://x.com/RoCatchers/status/1954221211581301201 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref> | ||