Don’t miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Roblox for “flagrantly” ignoring state and federal online safety laws, following Louisiana and Kentucky.
The game, which is thought to have over 150 million monthly users, with 40% under age 13, has “become a breeding ground for predators,” Paxton claims. The GOP AG says Roblox repeatedly exposes children to “sexually explicit content, exploitation, and grooming,” and that it’s prioritizing “pixel pedophiles and corporate profit over the safety of Texas children.”
“We cannot allow platforms like Roblox to continue operating as digital playgrounds for predators where the well-being of our kids is sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed,” Paxton says. “Any corporation that enables child abuse will face the full and unrelenting force of the law.”
Paxton’s criticisms of the platform aren’t unique; a 2024 report from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation labeled Roblox “a tool for sexual predators [and] a threat for children’s safety,” and urged it to institute new safety features and parental controls. Bloomberg reported in 2024 that 24 people have been arrested so far for charges relating to abusing children they encountered via the Roblox platform. Roblox-related arrests have continued in 2025, with game website Aftermath reporting that six have been made so far in 2025.
Roblox has denied Paxton’s claims. In a statement shared with TechCrunch, a Roblox spokesperson said it was “disappointed that, rather than working collaboratively with Roblox on this industry-wide challenge and seeking real solutions, the AG has chosen to file a lawsuit based on misrepresentations and sensationalized claims.” They argue that Roblox’s “policies are purposefully stricter than those found on many other platforms.”
Roblox has been introducing new safety features in the past few years. In July, it added an age-verification system to ensure its users engage in unfiltered chats only after proving they are over 13, using technology provided by identity verification company Persona. Meanwhile, in November 2024, it banned under-13s from accessing its “Hangouts” feature, which includes virtual spaces such as clubs, islands, or bathrooms.
Recommended by Our Editors
However, Roblox has also taken action against vigilante activity on the platform, forcibly removing users attempting to trap people they believe are using the platform to abuse minors.
In January, meanwhile, Paxton also opened a case against TikTok, claiming it was showing inappropriate and explicit material to children, despite marketing the app as child-appropriate.
Get Our Best Stories!
Stay Safe With the Latest Security News and Updates
Sign up for our SecurityWatch newsletter for our most important privacy and security stories delivered right to your inbox.
Sign up for our SecurityWatch newsletter for our most important privacy and security stories delivered right to your inbox.
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
About Our Expert
Experience
I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.
I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.
Read Full Bio
