Source: Fortune
Summary
Child advocacy organizations Fairplay and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) have filed a complaint against Roblox with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alleging that the gaming platform exploits children through manipulative monetization, addictive design features, and chat systems that enable predators to reach minors. The complaint claims that Roblox violates the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and the FTC Act. Roblox has estimated that 40% of its 130 million daily active users are under 13. The company has responded by pointing to its safeguards and policies requiring fair treatment of players.
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Roblox’s estimated 40% of daily active users are under 13, and the company has made $3.6 billion in revenue in 2024. The platform’s design features, such as scarcity marketing and loot boxes, are allegedly engineered to maximize time and spending. The complaint also claims that Roblox’s chat capabilities have enabled predatory contact between adults and children. Roblox has responded by pointing to its recent and upcoming safety measures, including age checks and age-based accounts. The company’s spokesperson said that the platform is designed to provide a positive experience, but the complaint alleges that the company’s actions are unfair and deceptive. The situation can be reframed as “a billion-dollar business model built on the backs of children.”
Author: Evan Null
