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m Change sub-heading "Condo Games" to be "sub-reading 1" instead of "sub-reading 2". Minor edit.
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According to Ruben Sim, the Roblox report system (which allows users to 'report' rule-violating behavior to Roblox moderators) often had a success rate of 0%, even when obviously rule-violating accounts possessing usernames which were distorted versions of minor-sexualizing phrases such as "14 year old slut".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Ruben |date=22 Dec 2023 |title=Do Roblox Reports Really Work? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-s0sLZ4oJA&ab_channel=RubenSim |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Youtube |type=Video}}</ref><!-- A single YouTube video is a poor source, consider getting more citations as to the inefficiency of Roblox reporting. -->
According to Ruben Sim, the Roblox report system (which allows users to 'report' rule-violating behavior to Roblox moderators) often had a success rate of 0%, even when obviously rule-violating accounts possessing usernames which were distorted versions of minor-sexualizing phrases such as "14 year old slut".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Ruben |date=22 Dec 2023 |title=Do Roblox Reports Really Work? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-s0sLZ4oJA&ab_channel=RubenSim |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Youtube |type=Video}}</ref><!-- A single YouTube video is a poor source, consider getting more citations as to the inefficiency of Roblox reporting. -->


====Condo Games====
=== Condo Games ===
"Condo" games on Roblox are a type of game which simulates sex between Roblox avatars. According to the policies on Romantic and Sexual Content, "Any content which explicitly [depicts] sexual content or nudity is against the rules of Roblox".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restricted Content Policy |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |at=Romantic and Sexual Content}}</ref> Due to the rule-violating nature of these games and how they can harm the fanbase of Roblox, due to the fanbase of Roblox being overwhelmingly composed of young children''[citation needed]'', they are often removed by Roblox moderation.
"Condo" games on Roblox are a type of game which simulates sex between Roblox avatars. According to the policies on Romantic and Sexual Content, "Any content which explicitly [depicts] sexual content or nudity is against the rules of Roblox".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restricted Content Policy |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |at=Romantic and Sexual Content}}</ref> Due to the rule-violating nature of these games and how they can harm the fanbase of Roblox, due to the fanbase of Roblox being overwhelmingly composed of young children''[citation needed]'', they are often removed by Roblox moderation.


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In 9th August, 2025, Roblox issued a Cease and Desist to Roblox predator hunting channel RealSchlep<ref>{{Cite web |author=RealSchlep |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Schlep on X posting about his Cease and Desist |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954255952997478537 |url-status=live |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=X}}</ref>. "Schlep used the method of acting like an underage person (decoy) to catch bad actors on Roblox. Using this method he got 6 arrests according to his team using Roblox until they issued a Cease and Desist. Roblox added a rule to their Terms of Use<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Matt |date=13 Aug 2025 |title=Roblox on vigilante groups |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/more-on-removal-of-vigilantes-from-roblox |url-status=live |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox}}</ref>. Roblox is reassuring their playerbase that the groups do not use the proper channels that Roblox provides to report potential criminals. This sparked even more backlash for the already problematic moderation system, leaving players and parents in doubt if Roblox is even a safe environment for children.
In 9th August, 2025, Roblox issued a Cease and Desist to Roblox predator hunting channel RealSchlep<ref>{{Cite web |author=RealSchlep |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Schlep on X posting about his Cease and Desist |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954255952997478537 |url-status=live |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=X}}</ref>. "Schlep used the method of acting like an underage person (decoy) to catch bad actors on Roblox. Using this method he got 6 arrests according to his team using Roblox until they issued a Cease and Desist. Roblox added a rule to their Terms of Use<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Matt |date=13 Aug 2025 |title=Roblox on vigilante groups |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/more-on-removal-of-vigilantes-from-roblox |url-status=live |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox}}</ref>. Roblox is reassuring their playerbase that the groups do not use the proper channels that Roblox provides to report potential criminals. This sparked even more backlash for the already problematic moderation system, leaving players and parents in doubt if Roblox is even a safe environment for children.


=== Age checks to chat ===
===Age checks to chat===
In 3rd September, 2025, Matt Kaufman (Roblox's Chief Safety Officer) issues an post on their blog announcing their plans to implement facial estimation in order to "provide an accurate measure of a user's age rather than relying on what they type in when creating an account"<ref>''Matt Kaufman (2025-09-03).'' [https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/09/roblox-to-expand-age-estimation-to-all-users "Roblox Announces Ambitious Plan to Expand Age Estimation to All Users"]. ''Roblox's Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-22.''</ref>. Later on October, Roblox announces on their developer forum a post titled "Encouraging users to complete an age check to chat", citing a partnership with Persona, which as of early 2026, is currently being sued over biometric data handling<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/court-of-appeals-third-appellate-district/2024/3-24-0210.html</ref>. In that same post, they cite that "early next year, users will be required to be age checked to chat on Roblox"<ref>https://devforum.roblox.com/t/test-encouraging-users-to-complete-an-age-check-to-chat/4035155</ref>.
In 3rd September, 2025, Matt Kaufman (Roblox's Chief Safety Officer) issues an post on their blog announcing their plans to implement facial estimation in order to "provide an accurate measure of a user's age rather than relying on what they type in when creating an account"<ref>''Matt Kaufman (2025-09-03).'' [https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/09/roblox-to-expand-age-estimation-to-all-users "Roblox Announces Ambitious Plan to Expand Age Estimation to All Users"]. ''Roblox's Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-22.''</ref>. Later on October, Roblox announces on their developer forum a post titled "Encouraging users to complete an age check to chat", citing a partnership with Persona, which as of early 2026, is currently being sued over biometric data handling<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/court-of-appeals-third-appellate-district/2024/3-24-0210.html</ref>. In that same post, they cite that "early next year, users will be required to be age checked to chat on Roblox"<ref>https://devforum.roblox.com/t/test-encouraging-users-to-complete-an-age-check-to-chat/4035155</ref>.


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Roblox
Basic information
Founded 2004
Legal Structure Public
Industry Gaming
Also known as
Official website https://roblox.com/

Roblox is an online platform which lets users create their own games, as well as all sorts of virtual items for their personal avatars. The platform is owned by the Roblox Corporation.

Users create games through Roblox Studio, an application separate from the Roblox Player. Roblox Studio can be used by a user to create digital backups of the games they create. These backups are stored on their hard drive and can not be altered by the Roblox Corporation.

Consumer impact summary

  • User freedom: Documented in section 11 of the Roblox Terms of Use,[1] the user agrees to resolve disputes through Mandatory Informal Dispute Resolution (MIDR).[1] If MIDR does not resolve a dispute, users within the United States are forced to proceed under binding arbitration. In order to initiate MIDR, users are required to send a physically-written notice by certified mail or through Federal Express.
  • User privacy: All operations related to Roblox must, to some extent, occur on servers that Roblox owns. For example, it is nearly impossible to play a Roblox game without interacting with the Roblox servers. Roblox servers are not end to end encrypted, allowing possible vulnerabilities. Roblox explicitly states that they monitor all user activity to see if it complies with their rules.[2]
  • Business model: Roblox profits off of an exclusive currency purchased with real-world currency called Robux, and it is often used an an intermediary for microtransactions on the platform for user-generated content (UGC) such as cosmetics. Roblox is known to also make money off of collaborations that function as advertisements, such as with IKEA.[3]
  • Market competition: Various platforms such as Epic Games' Fortnite and the lesser known Brick Hill[4] by Mooshimity[5][6] have been known to emulate how Roblox works. Very few however, are successful in competing against them.
  • Other information: The Roblox Corporation can terminate (delete) a user's account as long as they believe they are violating the Terms of Use.[7] Termination can not be revoked.[7] A terminated user will lose all content they own on Roblox along with their account, including what they purchased with Robux.[7]

Monetization

Roblox is a free service which features microtransactions made with Robux, e.g. new accessories, clothing,exclusive content in certain games, and the ability to access certain games. All items purchased on Roblox are stored on Roblox servers alone, so Roblox has the ability to modify or delete the items you own.

On September 9, 2021, Roblox launched an automated process for users to receive Robux back for items they had bought which had been deleted or otherwise moderated[8]. The Roblox company implemented this change after they got sued for first allowing items to be sold and then deleting them without compensating users that purchased said items[9]. Until then, there was no refund method in place, meaning that if an item was deleted, Roblox would keep all of the profit they made of said item and sometimes all of the money made from selling said item if the creators account got terminated and the creator hadn't spent their Robux yet.

Incidents

Inappropriate Content

Throughout the 2020s, Roblox has faced several controversies regarding child safety, including a lawsuit in 2020 over how the platform had allowed two adults to harass a 10-year-old girl, causing her mental health to deteriorate so badly that she resorted to suicide, according to her parents' testimony.[10]

On 14th August 2025, Louisana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a lawsuit against Roblox[11], alleging child exploitation and the platforming of sexual predators on the platform. Roblox themselves released an official response to the lawsuit on 15th August 2025.

On 6 November 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Roblox, over child safety concerns, accusing the company of "deceiving parents about the dangers of its platform".[12]

Accusations of child labor

In January 2022, The Guardian published a story accusing Roblox of profiting off child labor with detailed stories of teenagers being scammed and becoming victims of sexual grooming in communities conveniently off the platform.[13] In October 2022, the first of many lawsuits alleging Roblox enabled a girl's sexual exploitation was filed.[14]

On the 24th of August 2025 the youtube channel People Make Games published a video about Roblox's treatment of children. One of the points in the video is about how Roblox developers own a currency called "Robux" that resembles a new form of Company Scrip, a currency that is exclusively earned and exchanged in the company. Exchanging it back into a real currency will result in less payment overall, encouraging the use of it inside the company. The currency was made illegal in 1938.

Blocking Linux users

In April 2023, Roblox intentionally blocked Linux users playing the game via Wine, a tool used for running Windows apps on POSIX-compliant operating systems, they cite "security and compatibility concerns."[15] This announcement followed Roblox's acquisition of Byfron, as well as their developments towards a 64-bit Roblox client.[16] Despite this change to the client, users were still able to access Roblox Studio, the development application, utilizing Wine.[17] In August 2023, an update to Roblox once again allowed users to run Roblox via Wine, and many users opted to use a fork of Wine titled Vinegar made specifically for Roblox.[18] In February of 2024, Roblox would go back on their decision and ban the use of Wine for the Roblox Client, citing extended use of Wine-based exploits, Roblox Studio remains available under wine.[19] In August 2024, the Vinegar team would release Sober, a closed-source application utilizing a translation layer to access the Roblox client via a mobile Android package kit (APK).[20] In April 2025, Roblox engineer Bitdancer would state on the Roblox Devforums that they see no reason to block Sober, but that they may disable it as a side effect of changes in security. [21]

Problematic moderation

Main article: Roblox's problematic moderation

Roblox as a platform has been known by consumers to moderate content in ways that are inconsistent. The platform's chat moderation feature censors inoffensive speech,[22] including numbers.[23][24]

In recent years, moderation has been documented to neglect handling child predators, only handling the most egregious of actors after massive consumer backlash[25] or lawsuits,[26][27] and in many cases, these individuals tend to have their bans reversed.[28] Additionally, the platform has been documented to host various mature experiences,[29][30] which have been recorded to be used as breeding grounds for predatory behavior.[31] This neglect has gone so far as to the platform threatening litigation against individuals attempting to get child predators reported to authorities.[28][32]

According to Ruben Sim, the Roblox report system (which allows users to 'report' rule-violating behavior to Roblox moderators) often had a success rate of 0%, even when obviously rule-violating accounts possessing usernames which were distorted versions of minor-sexualizing phrases such as "14 year old slut".[33]

Condo Games

"Condo" games on Roblox are a type of game which simulates sex between Roblox avatars. According to the policies on Romantic and Sexual Content, "Any content which explicitly [depicts] sexual content or nudity is against the rules of Roblox".[34] Due to the rule-violating nature of these games and how they can harm the fanbase of Roblox, due to the fanbase of Roblox being overwhelmingly composed of young children[citation needed], they are often removed by Roblox moderation.

However, due to the potentially backup-creating nature of Roblox Studio, creators of these Condo games can endlessly republish these offending games under alternate accounts as long as they keep the backup file. While Roblox is considering the creation of "Restricted" experiences which may allow these heavier sexual themes[citation needed], Condo games almost never mark themselves as restricted, allowing underage users to potentially access them.

Predator-hunting groups

In 9th August, 2025, Roblox issued a Cease and Desist to Roblox predator hunting channel RealSchlep[35]. "Schlep used the method of acting like an underage person (decoy) to catch bad actors on Roblox. Using this method he got 6 arrests according to his team using Roblox until they issued a Cease and Desist. Roblox added a rule to their Terms of Use[36]. Roblox is reassuring their playerbase that the groups do not use the proper channels that Roblox provides to report potential criminals. This sparked even more backlash for the already problematic moderation system, leaving players and parents in doubt if Roblox is even a safe environment for children.

Age checks to chat

In 3rd September, 2025, Matt Kaufman (Roblox's Chief Safety Officer) issues an post on their blog announcing their plans to implement facial estimation in order to "provide an accurate measure of a user's age rather than relying on what they type in when creating an account"[37]. Later on October, Roblox announces on their developer forum a post titled "Encouraging users to complete an age check to chat", citing a partnership with Persona, which as of early 2026, is currently being sued over biometric data handling[38]. In that same post, they cite that "early next year, users will be required to be age checked to chat on Roblox"[39].

On November, 2025, Roblox released an update that required users on Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand to be age verified in order to use chat by either facial estimation or ID verification, which caused outrage amongst users. On January 7th, 2026, they seemingly ignored the outrage and released the update globally[40][41].

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004647846-Roblox-Terms-of-Use#dispute-resolution-user-roblox
  2. ↑ "Restricted Content Policy". Roblox. Posting content. Retrieved 12 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ "IKEA is opening a new store on Roblox… and you could be paid to work there!". Ikea. Jun 3, 2024. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  4. ↑ https://brickhill.fandom.com/wiki/History_of_Brick_Hill
  5. ↑ https://www.trademarkelite.com/uk/trademark/trademark-detail/UK00003523863/Brick-Hill
  6. ↑ https://brickhill.fandom.com/wiki/Mooshimity
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Roblox Terms of Use". Roblox. p. Section 2. Archived from the original on 23 Aug 2025. Retrieved 12 Aug 2025.
  8. ↑ https://www.roblox.com/modcreditagreement/974158ba-99f0-4915-8fde-5b07b3cbbe09
  9. ↑ https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59935306/doe-v-roblox-corporation/
  10. ↑ Dorsey, Edwin (2025-08-15). "This list is the tip of the iceberg. So many cases go unreported, undetected, or contribute to the deaths of children. Below is one lawsuit in which a 10-year-old girl claimed abuse through Roblox". Twitter. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  11. ↑ Murrill, Elizabeth (2025-08-14). "Attorney General Liz Murrill on X". X.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ↑ Iyer, Ram (2025-11-07). "Texas AG sues Roblox, accusing it of prioritizing 'pixel pedophiles' over child safety". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
  13. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/jan/09/the-trouble-with-roblox-the-video-game-empire-built-on-child-labour
  14. ↑ https://www.reuters.com/legal/game-company-roblox-enabled-girls-sexual-exploitation-lawsuit-claims-2022-10-05/
  15. ↑ "Devforum Post by MrEaker of Roblox".
  16. ↑ "Devforum Post by Roblox Announcing Byfron Acquisition".
  17. ↑ "Devforum Post by Bitdancer regarding Studio".
  18. ↑ "Devforum Post Discussing Roblox on Linux".
  19. ↑ "VinegarHQ 2024 Roblox on Linux Block FAQ".
  20. ↑ "Sober - Roblox on Linux". Retrieved 12 Aug 2025.
  21. ↑ "Devforum Post by Bitdancer regarding Sober".
  22. ↑ 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)
  23. ↑ "Why the hell are numbers censored!". Reddit - r/Roblox. Mar 7, 2017. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  24. ↑ JParty (Feb 24, 2017). "Updates to Chat Privacy API + New Account Indicators + Changes to Text Filtering APIs". Roblox Dev Forum. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  25. ↑ Olivia, Carville; D’Anastasio, Cecilia (Jul 22, 2024). "Roblox's Pedophile Problem". Bloomberg. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  26. ↑ Tanenbaum, Michael (Feb 25, 2025). "Family from N.J. sues Roblox and Discord, claiming platforms are 'hunting ground' for child predators". Philly Voice. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  27. ↑ "'Breeding ground for predators': Roblox sued by DeKalb 10-year-old's family". WSBTV 2 Atlanta. Aug 8, 2025. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Schlep (Aug 9, 2025). "Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids". YouTube. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  29. ↑ Schlep (Jan 9, 2024). "this simulator should NOT be on roblox..." YouTube. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  30. ↑ Schlep (Apr 14, 2024). "Roblox Needs to BAN These Games..." YouTube. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  31. ↑ Schlep (Feb 7, 2024). "I Caught a Roblox PREDATOR in this game..." YouTube. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  32. ↑ Huang, Marcus (Aug 9, 2025). "Roblox YouTuber Battles Child Predators | Accounts Terminated Amid Backlash". Level Up Talk. Retrieved Aug 10, 2025.
  33. ↑ Sim, Ruben (22 Dec 2023). "Do Roblox Reports Really Work?". Youtube (Video). Retrieved 12 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ↑ "Restricted Content Policy". Roblox. Romantic and Sexual Content. Retrieved 12 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ↑ RealSchlep (9 Aug 2025). "Schlep on X posting about his Cease and Desist". X. Retrieved 14 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ↑ Kaufman, Matt (13 Aug 2025). "Roblox on vigilante groups". Roblox. Retrieved 14 Aug 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ↑ Matt Kaufman (2025-09-03). "Roblox Announces Ambitious Plan to Expand Age Estimation to All Users". Roblox's Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  38. ↑ https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/court-of-appeals-third-appellate-district/2024/3-24-0210.html
  39. ↑ https://devforum.roblox.com/t/test-encouraging-users-to-complete-an-age-check-to-chat/4035155
  40. ↑ https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-check-requirement-to-chat-now-live-globally/4226101
  41. ↑ Matt Kaufman and Rajiv Bhatia (2026-01-07). "A New Era of Safety: Facial Age Checks Now Required to Chat on Roblox" Roblox's Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
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