Kentucky Attorney General Sues Roblox, Calling It a ‘Playground for Predators’
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY — Kentucky’s top prosecutor has filed a major lawsuit against Roblox, accusing the massive online gaming platform of failing to protect children and allowing predators to groom and exploit minors across its virtual worlds.
Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the lawsuit during a press conference on October 7, saying Roblox has become “a playground for predators” that exposes millions of children to sexual abuse, exploitation, and online manipulation.
State Lawsuit Targets Roblox’s Alleged Safety Failures
Filed Monday in Franklin Circuit Court, the lawsuit accuses Roblox of violating Kentucky’s Consumer Protection Act by misrepresenting its platform’s safety and concealing serious risks from parents.
Coleman alleged that Roblox’s design — which allows users to create avatars, chat, and interact in user-built games — has made it fertile ground for criminals targeting children.
“Roblox has knowingly created a digital playground where predators hang off every jungle gym,” Coleman said. “Parents, get your kids off Roblox — do it today.”
The Attorney General cited a series of disturbing incidents, including reports of extremist groups, sexual predators, and sextortion rings using the game to lure and harm minors.
National Pattern of Complaints and Prior Lawsuits
The Kentucky lawsuit follows similar legal action filed in Louisiana earlier this year and an ongoing child-safety investigation in Florida.
Coleman noted that more than 20 federal lawsuits have been filed nationwide, accusing Roblox of failing to remove exploitative content and ignoring red flags tied to child grooming and sexual abuse.
In one of the most tragic cases, 15-year-old Ethan Dallas of San Diego took his own life in 2024 after meeting a predator through Roblox. According to a New York Times investigation, Ethan — who had autism — was manipulated into sharing explicit photos after a man posing as another teen gained his trust through in-game chat.
That predator, Timothy O’Connor, was later arrested on child pornography and exploitation charges. Ethan’s mother has since sued Roblox for wrongful death, claiming the company failed to act on reports of grooming.
Attorney General’s Office Cites Pattern of Exploitation
According to Coleman, more than 13,000 instances of child exploitation were linked to Roblox in 2023 alone, based on reports from law enforcement and independent watchdogs.
He said the lawsuit is meant to force accountability and strengthen national awareness about the dangers of unregulated social and gaming spaces.
“We’re not talking about isolated incidents,” Coleman said. “We’re talking about a systemic failure by one of the largest gaming platforms on Earth to protect the most vulnerable — our kids.”
The Attorney General’s Office has launched a public awareness campaign urging parents to review their children’s online activity and report any suspicious content to law enforcement.
Roblox Responds to the Allegations
In a brief statement issued late Tuesday, Roblox Corporation said it “strongly disagrees with the claims” made by Kentucky’s lawsuit, adding that the company invests heavily in safety technology and moderation.
The company maintains it employs over 5,000 moderators and uses AI-driven content filters to detect grooming attempts and inappropriate content before it reaches users.
Still, the growing number of lawsuits has placed Roblox under national scrutiny, with regulators and child safety groups pushing for federal oversight of online platforms frequented by minors.
As Kentucky joins the fight against online child exploitation, the Roblox lawsuit could set a national precedent for digital accountability. Stay updated on this developing story at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.