US groups urge investigation into child safety and spending on Roblox

Children as young as five are vulnerable to being contacted by strangers and pressured into spending money on Roblox, campaigners have alleged in a complaint to US regulators. The advocacy groups Fairplay and the National Centre on Sexual Exploitation have asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the popular gaming platform for alleged "unfair and deceptive" practices. The complaint centres on Roblox's in-game economy, which uses a virtual currency called Robux that can be purchased and used to buy game passes or upgrades for avatars.

The groups argue that the system is too complex and difficult for children to understand, making it "nearly impossible" to track the real-world cost of virtual items. They cite an example of a 10-year-old girl who spent over $7,000 in two months despite attempts to limit purchases. Roblox has faced criticism for its child safety measures, and in response, has implemented measures such as blocking children from chatting with adults and using age-estimation tech to place them in age-appropriate accounts.

However, campaigners and parents remain concerned about the time and money spent by children on the site. Ashwin Verghese, Fairplay's communications director, said parents "deserve to know that their children will be safe on Roblox, and we are calling on the FTC to make sure that happens". The complaint also alleges that Roblox uses "engagement-maximising" design features, such as daily reward streaks and systems that encourage social comparison, to keep children on the platform.

Some experiences also use "gambling-like" mechanics, such as loot boxes or chance-based rewards, which campaigners argue children may not fully understand. Drew Benvie, chief executive of social media consultancy Battenhall, said creating age limits for features will only go so far in keeping children safe on Roblox, and that greater user and parental awareness is needed. Roblox generated $4.9bn in revenue in 2025, a 36% increase on the previous year.

The FTC has not indicated whether it will open a formal investigation. The complaint comes as regulators increasingly examine how gaming and social media platforms protect younger users and generate revenue. The platform's safety measures have been questioned after researchers using under-13 accounts reported encountering sexual references and offensive language within minutes of entering certain games.

The filing also referenced cases of grooming and exploitation on the site. Roblox rejected the claims, saying the platform was "built for fun and connection, not short-term engagement", and that it had "clear policies" banning actual and simulated gambling.