US Groups Urge FTC Probe of Roblox as Parent Says 10-Year-Old Spent $7,000
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 20
US Groups Urge FTC Probe of Roblox as Parent Says 10-Year-Old Spent $7,000
9 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 20
Fairplay and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation asked the FTC to investigate Roblox, alleging its child-focused platform uses unfair and deceptive spending, chat and engagement practices.
The complaint says Roblox’s Robux economy makes real-world prices hard for children to track, citing one parent’s claim that a 10-year-old spent more than $7,000 in two months.
Researchers using under-13 accounts reported seeing sexual references and offensive language within minutes, and the filing says text and voice chat can expose children to adults despite safety controls.
Roblox rejected the allegations, saying only 1.4% of its 132 million daily active users paid in the first quarter of 2026 and that it bans gambling-like content and restricts child-adult chat.
The FTC has not said whether it will investigate, but the complaint lands as regulators widen scrutiny of addictive design and child safety across gaming and social media platforms.
As nations start banning platforms for kids, is this FTC complaint the beginning of the end for Roblox?
With users declining and lawsuits mounting, can Roblox's new AI 'Sentinel' actually protect children from online predators?
Is Roblox's billion-dollar success built on a model that intentionally monetizes the vulnerability of children?
144 Million Kids at Risk? FTC Complaint and Lawsuits Target Roblox’s Child Safety and Monetization Practices
Overview
On May 20, 2026, child safety advocacy groups like Fairplay and NCOSE filed a formal complaint with the FTC, triggering a potential federal investigation into Roblox. The complaint alleges that Roblox prioritizes profits over children's safety, exposing young users to predators and inappropriate content through features like chat and voice. Reports of sextortion schemes have led to severe psychological harm for victims. Advocacy groups are urging the FTC to act, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections and regulatory oversight to address these systemic risks and ensure a safer environment for children online.