Florida AG Cracks Down on Popular Online Gaming Platform
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The popular online gaming platform, Roblox, has been issued a subpoena by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in response to reports that it may be exposing children to harmful and graphic material.
Concerns Over Child Safety Emerge
AG Uthmeier expressed concern over the ability of predatory adults to freely send messages to minors, as much of the platform's content is created by users. In 2024, Roblox had more than 85 million daily active users, with 40% of those users being under the age of 13.
As a father and Attorney General, children's safety and protection are a top priority," said AG Uthmeier. "There are concerning reports that this gaming platform, which is popular among children, is exposing them to harmful content and bad actors."
Subpoena Demands Documents from Roblox
The subpoena demands that Roblox hand over various documents, including:
- Information on the amount of time spent on the platform broken down by age for all users 16 years of age or younger.
- Marketing of the platform to young customers or youngest demographic.
- Steps Roblox takes to ensure children are not exposed to mature content on the platform.
The full subpoena details 27 documents the platform must hand over, dating from January 2021 to the present. The company has until May 16 to comply with the demand.
Roblox's Marketing and Moderation Policies Under Scrutiny
AG Uthmeier is also demanding information regarding Roblox's marketing toward children, their age-verification requirements, and how they moderate chat rooms. This move comes as a response to concerns over the platform's policies and procedures for protecting its youngest users.
Parents' Concerns Over Roblox Emerge
In December 2024, parents expressed concerns over Roblox's youngest audience, sparking this investigation into the online gaming platform. The Attorney General's office is seeking to uncover how Roblox collects and processes children's data, ensuring their safety and protection.
Timeline of Events
This investigation follows a series of reports and concerns raised by parents over the past year regarding child safety on the popular online gaming platform. As the Attorney General continues to investigate, it is clear that protecting the state's children remains a top priority.
The company has until May 16 to comply with the subpoena, marking a significant step in the investigation into Roblox's marketing and moderation policies. This move demonstrates the Attorney General's commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of Florida's children.
Conclusion
The investigation into Roblox continues as the Attorney General seeks to uncover more information about the platform's practices and procedures for protecting its youngest users. As this story unfolds, it is clear that protecting the state's children remains a top priority.