LA County Sues Roblox, Alleging Failure to Protect Kids from Exploitation

Lawsuit claims popular gaming platform allows sexual abuse and exploitation of children

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against online gaming platform Roblox, alleging that the company has failed to implement adequate safeguards to protect child users from sexual exploitation and abuse. The complaint claims Roblox has prioritized user growth and profits over child safety, and that the platform's design makes children 'easy prey for pedophiles'.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of children on online gaming platforms, which have faced similar allegations in the past. It raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies to protect vulnerable users and the need for stronger regulations and oversight to prevent the exploitation of minors.

The details

The lawsuit, filed by the Los Angeles County Counsel's office, alleges that Roblox has failed to implement 'reasonable and readily available safety measures' such as age verification or 'meaningful parental controls'. The complaint claims Roblox has knowingly maintained a platform that allows sexual exploitation and abuse of children, including hundreds of thousands of minors within the county.

  • The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Roblox

A popular online gaming platform that allows users to create and play their own games.

Los Angeles County

The county in California that has filed the lawsuit against Roblox.

Dawyn R. Harrison

The County Counsel for Los Angeles County, who stated that the lawsuit is about a company that 'gives pedophiles powerful tools to prey on innocent and unsuspecting children'.

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What they’re saying

“This is not about a minor lapse in safety. It is about a company that gives pedophiles powerful tools to prey on innocent and unsuspecting children. The trauma that results is horrific, from grooming to exploitation to actual assault. This needs to stop.”

— Dawyn R. Harrison, County Counsel, Los Angeles County

What’s next

The lawsuit seeks to require Roblox to implement 'meaningful safeguards' to prevent harm to its minor players. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for the online gaming industry and its responsibility to protect children.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of ensuring the safety of children on online platforms, particularly in the gaming industry. It underscores the need for stronger regulations, increased oversight, and more robust safety measures to prevent the exploitation of minors.