Roblox's problematic moderation: Difference between revisions

Line 1:

{{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>

{{~~IncidentCargo~~

|~~Company~~=Roblox

|~~Product~~=~~Roblox~~

|~~ArticleType~~=~~Service~~

|~~Description~~=Roblox ~~has had a problematic history~~ of ~~protecting its consumers~~ on the platform, ~~going so far as to protect individuals committing illegal acts~~.

}}

==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>

==~~[Incident]~~==

==Problematic moderation==

~~{{Ph-I-I}}~~

Beyond a questionable chat filtering system, [[Roblox]] has been risky for underage audiences playing on the platform

===~~[Company]~~'s response===

===Roblox's response===

~~{{Ph-I-ComR}}~~

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>

==~~Lawsuit~~==

==Lawsuits==

{{Ph-I-~~L}}~~

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) ===

=== ''State v. Matthew Naval'' (Apr 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.<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==

~~{{reflist}}~~

~~{{Ph-I-C}}~~

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Delete|no article contents}}
+{{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>
-{{IncidentCargo
-|Company=Roblox
-|Product=Roblox
-|ArticleType=Service
-|Description=Roblox has had a problematic history of protecting its consumers on the platform, going so far as to protect individuals committing illegal acts.
-}}
-{{Ph-I-Int}}
 ==Background==
-{{Ph-I-B}}
+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>
-==[Incident]==
+==Problematic moderation<!--https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/-->==
-{{Ph-I-I}}
+Beyond a questionable chat filtering system, [[Roblox]] has been risky for underage audiences playing on the platform
-===[Company]'s response===
+===Roblox's response===
-{{Ph-I-ComR}}
+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>
-==Lawsuit==
+==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-->==
-{{Ph-I-L}}
+{{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==
-{{Ph-I-ConR}}
+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==
-{{reflist}}
+<references />
-{{Ph-I-C}}