The state of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, alleging that the platform is “full of harmful content and child predators”. This move comes amid growing concerns about the safety of minors on the popular online gaming app, which has faced criticism for its moderation policy and protection of young users.
The safety of minors in question on Roblox
In response to these accusations, Roblox has announced the implementation of strict policies to prohibit romantic and sexual content, even that which only implies sexual activity. Additionally, access to “social experiences” that include private spaces will be restricted, allowing only users verified as over 17 years old to access them. This decision aims to mitigate inappropriate behaviors observed in these environments, as explained by Roblox’s head of security, Matt Kaufman.
The new restrictions will also affect the developers of these spaces, who must be verified as over 17 years old to create experiences aimed at an adult audience. Despite the announced initiatives, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has criticized the lack of swift action by the company, calling Roblox a “fertile ground for sexual predators.”
At the same time, a petition on Change.org to remove Roblox CEO David Baszucki has gathered over 138,000 signatures, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the current management of the platform. The statements from the Roblox team about their commitment to safety have been met with skepticism, especially after the removal of content creators who have pointed out issues on the platform.
The promises of changes in Roblox’s policy are being seen as an urgent response to public and legal pressure, but it is estimated that some of the new limitations on unclassified experiences will be implemented in the coming months, which has raised criticism about the effectiveness and speed of the company’s actions.
