Published
October 22, 2025
Updated
February 20, 2026
Roblox has 111 million daily users, about 40% of them under 13, and at least 30 people have been arrested since 2018 for abusing children they met on the platform — here is what parents need to know and how families are pursuing claims.
Roblox by the Numbers: Why Parents Are Alarmed
Roblox is one of the most popular apps on the planet for children. It reported 111.8 million daily active users in mid-2025, a 41% jump from the year before. Players spent 27.4 billion hours on the platform in a single quarter. About 40% of all Roblox players are under 13 years old. In 2020, Roblox Corporation said that half of all American children used the platform.Those numbers make Roblox one of the largest gathering places for children on the internet. They also make it a target. At least 30 people have been arrested in the United States since 2018 for abducting or sexually abusing children they first contacted through Roblox. Exploitation groups like 764 and CVLT have been documented using the platform to recruit and coerce minors. Countries including Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and Russia have banned Roblox entirely. Australia, the Netherlands, and France have launched regulatory investigations.
Families across America are now filing lawsuits. If your child was groomed, exploited, or harmed through Roblox or Discord, your family may qualify for a free confidential case review.
Status
Active Investigation
Rolling intake nationwide; federal litigation is in MDL 3166
Arrests Linked to Roblox
30+ since 2018
Daily Active Users
111.8 million
About 40% under age 13
Proof Required
Helpful, not required
Chat screenshots, reports, or counseling records strengthen a claim
Get a Free Case Review
Who May Qualify for Compensation?
You may qualify if your child was contacted by a stranger or adult on Roblox, was groomed or manipulated into a trust relationship, was coerced into sharing photos or personal information, was exposed to sexually explicit or violent content, had conversations moved from Roblox to Discord or Snapchat, was lured into a real-world meeting or abducted, experienced emotional or psychological harm, or if your family discovered unauthorized Robux purchases or Discord charges tied to predatory interactions.Cases are prioritized for parents filing on behalf of a child who experienced grooming, exploitation, or abuse. Evidence such as chat screenshots, platform reports, or counseling records strengthens a claim, but you do not need everything to begin.
Real Cases: Children Kidnapped After Being Groomed on Roblox
These are not hypothetical risks. They are real events reported by law enforcement and documented in lawsuits filed against Roblox.In February 2026, a 19-year-old man from Omaha, Nebraska was arrested after he drove nearly 24 hours straight from Nebraska to Indiantown, Florida to pick up two sisters, ages 12 and 15, who he first contacted through Roblox in mid-2025. The communication later moved to Snapchat. He sent gifts including food to the family's home. The girls were found by Georgia State Patrol in his vehicle. He was charged with two counts of kidnapping and two counts of interference with child custody.
In April 2025, a 27-year-old man in California posed as a peer on Roblox to contact a 10-year-old girl. After moving the conversation to Discord, the child shared her home address. The man traveled to her home in Taft, California and abducted her. She was found hundreds of miles away in his vehicle in Elk Grove after a multi-agency search.
In May 2025, a 13-year-old girl in West Des Moines, Iowa was groomed by a predator on Roblox, kidnapped from her grandmother's home, trafficked across multiple states, and repeatedly sexually assaulted.
These are just a few of the cases that have become public. Attorneys representing families say they are investigating thousands of additional claims.
How Predators Use Robux and Gift Cards to Groom Children
Robux is the virtual currency inside Roblox. Players use it to buy in-game items, accessories for their avatar, and access to premium game features. Roblox generated $3.6 billion in revenue in 2024, much of it from microtransactions by minors.Predators exploit the Robux economy as a grooming tool. They offer free Robux or gift cards to gain a child's trust. The child feels indebted or grateful, which makes them more willing to continue talking and eventually comply with requests. Once trust is established, the predator asks the child to continue the relationship on Discord, Snapchat, or another messaging app where conversations are harder to monitor.
Beyond grooming, "free Robux" scams are everywhere online. Children searching for ways to earn Robux encounter phishing websites that steal their login credentials or personal information. A 2025 University of Sydney study found that children aged 7 to 14 described Roblox's monetization system as "scams" and "cash grabs." Parents should disable in-app purchases and check bank statements for unauthorized charges.
Is Roblox Safe for a 7, 8, 9, or 10 Year Old?
Roblox has an ESRB rating of T for Teen, not E for Everyone. That means the industry's own rating system considers the platform more appropriate for teenagers than young children. Around 40% of the actual player base is under 13.As of January 2026, Roblox made significant changes for younger users. Chat is now disabled by default for children under 9 unless a parent completes facial age verification and provides explicit consent. Users aged 9 to 12 have restricted communication settings. Content maturity ratings now help filter which games are accessible based on age.
However, these features are new. For years, young children had far fewer restrictions. And even with the 2026 updates, critics point out that facial verification systems have shown errors, some children are being misaged by the system, and parents frustrated by the process are completing verification on behalf of their children just to restore access to features the kids previously had.
If your child is under 10, experts recommend staying in the room while they play, disabling all chat and messaging, blocking in-app purchases, only allowing pre-approved games, and checking their friend list regularly.
What a Reporter Found Going Undercover as an 8-Year-Old on Roblox
In November 2025, The Guardian published an investigation in which reporter Sarah Martin created a Roblox account as an 8-year-old girl. She activated every parental control available. Despite being identified as a minor, her avatar was subjected to simulated sexual acts by other players, was defecated on, and was cyberbullied.The investigation showed that parental controls did not prevent exposure to sexually explicit user-generated content. It confirmed what parents in lawsuits have been reporting: the gap between what Roblox promises and what children actually experience on the platform is significant.
What Are the 764 and CVLT Groups? Extremists Targeting Kids on Roblox
764 and CVLT are violent extremist networks that have been documented operating on Roblox and other online platforms. These groups recruit and coerce children into creating self-harm content, explicit material, and violent imagery. They use Roblox to make initial contact, then move children to encrypted messaging apps where they are further exploited.The FBI and international law enforcement agencies have investigated these groups. Their presence on Roblox is cited in multiple lawsuits as evidence that the platform fails to detect and remove organized predatory networks, even when those groups are publicly known to target children.
Countries That Have Banned or Restricted Roblox
The concerns about Roblox are not limited to the United States. As of February 2026, Egypt banned Roblox after its media regulatory council determined the platform posed significant risks to minors. Iraq banned it in November 2025 citing child safety. Palestine banned it in November 2025. Russia blocked it in December 2025. Australia and New Zealand began requiring mandatory age verification for Roblox in December 2025. The Netherlands launched a formal investigation in January 2026. France's commissioner for children publicly stated that pedophilia on the platform was causing concern. Lebanon urged its government to act. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are considering bans.In the United States, attorneys general in Iowa, Kentucky, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia have filed lawsuits or launched investigations against Roblox.
What to Do Right Now If You Think Your Child Was Groomed
Stay calm and do not blame your child. Grooming is manipulation by an adult and is never the child's fault. Children who have been groomed often feel ashamed, confused, or afraid. They need your support, not anger.Do not delete anything. Before you report or confront anyone, take screenshots and save evidence. Capture chat messages, friend lists, usernames, and any conversations on Discord, Snapchat, or other apps. Content can be deleted quickly once a report is filed or a predator suspects they have been discovered.
Report the predator's account to Roblox and Discord through their safety reporting tools. File a report with local law enforcement. File a report with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org or by calling 1-800-843-5678.
Get your child professional help. A therapist who specializes in online exploitation trauma can provide critical support. Keep records of all counseling costs, as these may be recoverable in a lawsuit.
Consult an attorney. Hundreds of families are filing lawsuits against Roblox and Discord. A free case review can help you understand your options.
Get a Free Case Review
How to Check Your Child's Roblox Account Right Now
Log into your child's Roblox account. Go to Settings (the gear icon). Check the Privacy tab to see who can message them, who can chat with them in-app, and who can chat with them in-game. Go to their Friends list to see who they have connected with. Check their Messages inbox for any direct messages.Roblox does not provide parents with a full chat history log, which is one of the complaints raised in lawsuits. If you find concerning messages or contacts, screenshot everything immediately.
To enable stronger protections, set up a Roblox Parent Account at roblox.com/parents and link it to your child's account. This gives you access to activity reports, chat restrictions, content filters, and spending controls.
Why Roblox's New Safety Features May Not Be Enough
Roblox has introduced significant safety changes. In late 2025 and January 2026, the company rolled out mandatory facial age estimation for users who want to access chat features, disabled chat by default for users under 9, created parent-linked accounts with activity dashboards, restricted direct messages for users under 13, and implemented content maturity ratings.These are real improvements. But families and safety advocates raise several concerns. The facial verification system has shown accuracy issues, with adults being misidentified as children and vice versa. Many parents, frustrated by the new hurdles, are completing verification themselves just to restore their child's access to features they previously used. The system only applies to chat features, not to in-game interactions where grooming also occurs.
Most importantly, these changes arrived only after years of documented harm, dozens of lawsuits, multiple state attorney general actions, a damaging Hindenburg Research report, and international bans. Plaintiffs argue that Roblox had the resources and knowledge to implement these protections years earlier and chose not to because keeping engagement high and moderation costs low was more profitable.
A December 2025 survey of 1,000 U.S. parents of Roblox users found that only 61% believe parental controls are sufficient to prevent predator contact, 29% have discovered content or interactions that parental controls should have blocked, and 47% have not enabled account restrictions despite them being one of the strongest available protections.
What Compensation Could Families Receive?
No Roblox lawsuits have settled or gone to trial yet, so there are no established payout amounts. However, families may be able to recover costs for therapy and mental health treatment, reimbursement for unauthorized Robux purchases and in-app charges, lost wages from a parent who missed work to care for the child, damages for emotional distress including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and behavioral changes, and in severe cases involving kidnapping, sexual assault, or suicide, potentially significant punitive damages designed to punish the company.Each case is evaluated individually. The amount depends on the specific harm, the evidence available, and the circumstances of the exploitation.
What Evidence Helps Build a Case?
Screenshots of Roblox chats, Discord messages, Snapchat conversations, or other platform communications, including usernames and timestamps. Safety reports or support tickets filed with Roblox or Discord. Therapist or counseling invoices and mental health records. Bank or credit card statements showing unauthorized Robux purchases, gift card transactions, or Discord Nitro charges. School records documenting behavioral changes, absences, or disciplinary actions. Police reports or NCMEC CyberTipline filings. A written timeline of what happened, when, and who was involved.You do not need all of this to start. An attorney can help preserve digital evidence and subpoena platform records.
How to Join the Investigation
Families who believe their child was groomed, exploited, or harmed through Roblox or Discord can submit a confidential case review through the link below. A free evaluation helps determine eligibility and ensures your family's experience is documented. There is no cost and no obligation.Go To Claim Form
Why Acting Now Matters
Statutes of limitations vary by state. Digital evidence on Roblox and Discord can be deleted or become inaccessible. Platform records may not be preserved forever. The federal litigation (MDL 3166) is actively moving forward, with discovery underway and bellwether case selection approaching. Filing early helps preserve your options and strengthens the overall case for all families.Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roblox safe for kids in 2026?
Roblox has made safety improvements including facial age verification and disabling chat for users under 9. However, at least 30 arrests have been linked to the platform since 2018, multiple countries have banned it, and lawsuits allege that protections remain insufficient. Only 61% of parents surveyed believe parental controls adequately prevent predator contact.Should I let my child play Roblox?
That depends on your child's age and your ability to monitor their activity. If you allow it, disable chat, block in-app purchases, link a parent account, and stay involved. Be aware that parental controls have failed to prevent grooming in documented cases.How do I check my child's Roblox messages?
Log into their account, check the Messages inbox and Friends list. Roblox does not give parents full chat history. Set up a Parent Account at roblox.com/parents for more control. If you find something concerning, screenshot everything before reporting.What should I do if my child was groomed on Roblox?
Do not blame your child. Save all evidence before anything is deleted. Report to Roblox, Discord, local police, and the NCMEC CyberTipline (CyberTipline.org). Get your child professional help. Consult an attorney about your legal options.How many kids use Roblox?
111.8 million daily active users as of mid-2025, with about 40% under age 13. Roblox has said that half of all American children use the platform.Can my child get scammed through Robux?
Yes. Predators use free Robux offers as grooming tools. "Free Robux" phishing scams are widespread. Roblox earned $3.6 billion in 2024, mostly from minors making microtransactions. Disable in-app purchases and monitor bank statements.Is Roblox safe for a 7 year old?
Roblox is rated T for Teen, not E for Everyone. Chat is now disabled by default for users under 9 (as of January 2026). If you allow a young child to play, disable all chat, block purchases, stay in the room, and only allow pre-approved games.What countries have banned Roblox?
Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and Russia have banned it. Australia and the Netherlands have launched investigations. France, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan have raised formal concerns.What is the 764 group on Roblox?
764 is a violent extremist network that uses Roblox and other platforms to groom and coerce children into creating self-harm and explicit content. The FBI has investigated the group. Its presence on Roblox is cited in lawsuits.How do I report a predator on Roblox?
Click the three dots on the user's profile and select Report Abuse. Also report to local police and the NCMEC CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org or 1-800-843-5678. Save all evidence first.What did The Guardian undercover investigation find?
A reporter posed as an 8-year-old girl with all parental controls on. Her avatar was still subjected to simulated sexual acts and cyberbullying, showing that parental controls do not prevent all harmful exposure.How much compensation can families get from a Roblox lawsuit?
No cases have settled yet. Potential compensation includes therapy costs, unauthorized purchase reimbursement, lost wages, emotional distress damages, and potentially punitive damages in severe cases.Related Investigation
If the harm to your child also includes mental-health effects from heavy use of Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, or Facebook, those platforms are part of a separate federal MDL (3047). See our Social Media Addiction Lawsuit page for eligibility on those claims, which can run in parallel with a Roblox/Discord case.Sources
• Wikipedia: Child safety on Roblox• ABC News, "Siblings rescued after alleged kidnapping by 19-year-old they met on Roblox" (Feb. 2026)
• Fox News, "Roblox child safety warning after Nebraska kidnapping case" (Feb. 2026)
• Georgia Attorney General, "Carr Investigates Roblox for Reports of Child Exploitation" (Feb. 2026)
• KESQ/A Case for Women Survey, "Parents say Roblox parental controls aren't enough" (Feb. 2026)
• Roblox Corporate Site
• Discord Safety Center
• NCMEC Online Safety Resources
OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news and information site. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Submitting a claim form does not create an attorney-client relationship. For immediate danger or emergencies, contact law enforcement.
| Investigation Summary | |
| Status | Active Investigation — Nationwide Intake |
|---|---|
| Entities | Roblox Corporation, Discord Inc. |
| Focus | Grooming, sextortion, kidnapping, exploitation, unauthorized purchases, platform safety failures |
| Daily Active Users | 111.8 million (40% under 13) |
| Arrests Linked to Roblox | 30+ since 2018 |
| Countries Banned/Restricted | Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Russia, Australia (restricted), Netherlands (investigating) |
| U.S. AG Lawsuits | Iowa, Kentucky, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia |
| Eligibility | Nationwide, rolling intake |
| Proof Required | Helpful but not required to start |
| Pre-Qualify | Claim Form |
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