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Intercessor, have you heard of Roblox? This video game/online platform may seem harmless, but critics assert it’s crawling with predators looking to abuse unaware children. Recently, Tennessee took action with a lawsuit, aiming to hold the game accountable.
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From The Gateway Pundit:
Filed under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the suit accuses Roblox of prioritizing profits over child safety, slashing oversight and resources despite repeated warnings about exploitation risks.
Roblox, a massively popular online gaming world that markets itself as a creative playground for children, is described in the lawsuit as “the digital equivalent of a creepy cargo van lingering at the edge of a playground.”
“Roblox is the digital equivalent of a creepy cargo van lingering at the edge of a playground,” said Attorney General Skrmetti. “Roblox invites children into a fantastic online world with the promise of creativity and play, but that wonderland is a trap that lets the company sell sophisticated predators access to those vulnerable kids. Roblox worked to reduce oversight and child safety resources despite repeated warnings, because less overhead meant more profit. And the whole time, the company lied and said safety was its top priority.”
Non-profit groups combatting child exploitation have long cautioned against Roblox, warning that the game is often the first points of contact for predators looking to lure vulnerable children into dangerous interactions.
Tennessee is not the first state to take action against the game. The Gateway Pundit notes that Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, and Iowa have all filed similar lawsuits. The Iowa lawsuit in particular highlights the tragic case of a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly trafficking by a 37-year-old man she met on Roblox.
The Roblox corporation has pushed back on the lawsuit, arguing that it misrepresents the game. Tennessee, meanwhile, is arguing that the company delayed implementing safety measures in favor of profit. According to The Gateway Pundit, the state is seeking “court-ordered reforms to enhance child safety on the platform, as well as civil penalties under the TCPA.”
This lawsuit and the others like it highlight the danger children are currently facing online. As the internet becomes less safe by the day, it’s up to our leaders to hold massive corporations accountable for what happens on their platforms. Let’s pray for Tennessee as it fights to keep children safe!
What do you think of this lawsuit? Share your thoughts and prayers below.
(Excerpt from The Gateway Pundit. Photo Credit: Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com on Unsplash)
