Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a sweeping lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, accusing the gaming giant of prioritizing profits over child safety and violating both state and federal online protection laws.

The lawsuit, filed this week in Travis County District Court, alleges that Roblox “put pixel pedophiles and profits over the safety of Texas children,” claiming the company misled parents about its safeguards while allowing “a habitual destination for predators” to thrive on its platform.

The Allegations

According to the complaint, Roblox engaged in deceptive trade practices by advertising its parental controls and moderation systems as robust, while allegedly ignoring widespread abuse. The suit cites multiple instances of children being groomed, exploited, and blackmailed by predators they met through the game.

Investigators referenced online predator groups such as Group 764, which reportedly used Roblox and other platforms to identify and coerce victims — sometimes threatening minors into explicit acts or self-harm.

“Roblox has created a breeding ground for child exploitation,” the lawsuit claims, adding that the company’s parental safety push “only began after mounting lawsuits and public pressure.”

The complaint also references a 2024 report by short seller Hindenburg Research, which described Roblox as an “X-rated pedophile hellscape,” alleging rampant exposure of minors to sexual content and predatory behavior within in-game environments.

A Pattern of Legal Action

Texas joins a growing list of U.S. states targeting Roblox. Louisiana, Kentucky, and Florida have each filed similar suits this year, accusing the platform of facilitating child endangerment.

• Louisiana’s suit (August 2025) alleged Roblox “permitted and perpetuated” an environment where predators thrive.
• Kentucky’s filing (October 2025) labeled the game “a hunting ground for child predators.”
• Florida has issued subpoenas as part of an ongoing investigation into child exploitation online.

Beyond government action, dozens of families and victims have also filed civil cases against Roblox, citing incidents of abuse tied to its chat and game-hosting systems.

Roblox’s Response

In a statement to The Verge, Eric Porterfield, Roblox’s Senior Director of Policy Communications, said the company “strongly rejects the mischaracterizations” made in the Texas lawsuit.

“We are 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,” Porterfield said.

He added that Roblox has introduced “over 145 safety measures this year alone,” including automated filtering, human moderation, and AI systems designed to detect “early signals of potential child endangerment.”

The company also noted that it is expanding age verification using government-issued IDs and facial scans, similar to recent initiatives by Discord, which has faced parallel lawsuits for child exploitation cases.

A Legal and Ethical Crossroads

With more than 111 million daily active users, most under 18, Roblox occupies a precarious space between a social network and a gaming platform. That distinction is central to its legal defense.

Roblox — like other digital platforms — has frequently invoked Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act, which shields companies from liability for user-generated content. However, state prosecutors are increasingly testing the limits of that protection in cases involving systemic negligence and child safety failures.

Legal analysts say the Texas case could become a bellwether for how far regulators can go in holding online platforms accountable for user behavior.

“This is where moral outrage meets legal gray area,” said Dr. Ethan Caldwell, a technology law professor at the University of Texas. “If Texas succeeds, it could redefine how Section 230 applies to platforms that actively monetize environments frequented by children.”

The Bigger Picture

The Roblox suit mirrors a broader crackdown on online platforms over youth safety. The U.S. Senate is currently advancing the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), while California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code faces legal challenges from tech firms concerned about privacy implications.

As governments tighten oversight, platforms like Roblox, Meta, and TikTok are racing to integrate AI-driven moderation tools — a development some experts warn could still lag behind the speed and creativity of online exploitation.

“Predators adapt faster than policy,” said Sarah Nguyen, director at the Digital Safety Alliance. “AI can help, but it’s not a substitute for accountability.”