Roblox urged to face US probe over child safety, marketing

A coalition of child safety campaigners including Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation Movement, Fairplay and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) has formally requested that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) open an inquiry into Roblox, arguing the platform’s design and monetization practices conflict with children’s developmental needs.

The complaint alleges Roblox employs manipulative engagement mechanics and opaque virtual currency systems that may amount to “unfair and deceptive” practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act, and calls for scrutiny of compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. Roblox has disputed the claims while highlighting existing safety measures.

From a metrics standpoint, Roblox reports roughly 130–150 million daily active users, with company estimates that about 40% are under 13; the business generated approximately $3.6 billion in revenue in 2024 and has seen user engagement jump markedly in recent years. The complaint cites examples of underage accounts accessing inappropriate chat experiences and significant in-app spending by minors.

The request to the FTC adds to a wave of legal and political pressure on Roblox: U.S. federal lawsuits, state-level inquiries and international attention have kept child safety concerns in the spotlight. Roblox has announced age-based account categories and other safety updates planned for rollout, but critics say technological workarounds and third-party experiences on the platform still pose material risks.

Market implications include potential regulatory costs, reputational damage and constraints on monetization practices if enforcement follows. While Roblox’s public statements and product changes may calm some investor concerns, a sustained regulatory investigation or adverse rulings could force broader business model adjustments and raise compliance costs across the online gaming sector.