Is Roblox Losing Its Way? A Platform's Struggle with Safety and Scale
The Promise vs. The Reality
Roblox, the platform that promised a boundless playground for young creators, is increasingly struggling to keep up with its own success. For years, it has been plagued by accusations that its moderation systems are inadequate, leaving its predominantly young user base vulnerable. While the company recently rolled out updates, including an AI-powered age-verification system, experts and researchers are sounding the alarm: these changes might not be enough, and in some cases, could even exacerbate the problem.
Launched in 2006, Roblox was designed for kids to create and play games. Its open-world nature, in-game currency (Robux), and chat features fostered a sense of community. During the pandemic, it became a virtual social hub for millions. However, this very freedom has made effective moderation a Herculean task. With millions of active users, it’s incredibly difficult for children to discern who they’re truly interacting with behind the blocky avatars.
A Haven for Predators?
The most disturbing allegations against Roblox are that its platform has become a haven for not just pedophiles, but also extremist groups. The company, despite generating nearly a billion dollars last quarter, has faced years of criticism. Now, a wave of lawsuits is on the horizon, with law firms across the US preparing to file hundreds of cases accusing the platform of facilitating the sexual exploitation and grooming of minors.
Lawyers like Matt Dolman are seeing a surge in cases, with the vast majority involving victims under 16. This isn’t just a few isolated incidents; it points to a systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable users. While Roblox spokespeople claim safety is a “top priority” and that they dedicate “substantial resources” to moderation, the reality painted by these lawsuits and the sheer volume of reported cases tells a different story.
The Alarming Numbers
The numbers are stark. In 2019, Roblox self-reported 675 cases of suspected child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). By 2020, that number quadrupled to over 2,200. In 2024, it skyrocketed to over 24,000. And in the first six months of 2025, the company submitted nearly as many reports as it did in all of 2024. While NCMEC views increased reporting as a sign of effort, it also highlights the alarming scale of the problem.
These figures are not just statistics; they represent real children whose lives have been irrevocably harmed. The lawsuits allege that Roblox’s previous setup, which allowed users to register without age verification or phone numbers, created a “hunting ground for child-sex predators.”
The Illusion of Control
Roblox employs a combination of human moderators and AI-driven automated systems to filter content. Yet, researchers have repeatedly demonstrated how these measures can be circumvented using coded language. Furthermore, many perpetrators move conversations off-platform to less regulated spaces like Discord or Snapchat, where oversight is even more lax.
New features like “Trusted Connections,” which allow age-verified users to chat unfiltered, are also being met with skepticism. Critics argue that these measures might give young teens more opportunities for risky interactions, rather than less. As one extremism researcher put it, these features shift the burden of safety onto kids and parents, rather than the platform itself.
Parents, often reassured by Roblox’s child-friendly marketing and graphics, assume there are “copious amounts of safeguards.” The tragic reality is that the platform, despite its immense popularity and financial success, is still being weaponized. The question isn’t just if Roblox is getting worse, but whether it can ever truly be safe for the children it claims to serve.
