Roblox is seeking to dismiss the Louisiana AG’s lawsuit over accusations that it fails to protect children from predators on its site.
LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. — Attorneys for the online gaming platform Roblox appeared in a Livingston Parish courtroom Friday, asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Liz Murrill that accuses the company of enabling the sexual exploitation of children.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed last year by the Louisiana attorney general, who argues the platform has failed to adequately protect young users from predators.
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“We’ve got case after case, sadly, of children that are being hurt and exploited by somebody that found them on Roblox,” Murrill said.
The state’s lawsuit claims the gaming platform creates an environment where predators can contact minors and exploit them. Roblox allows users to interact through chat and user-created games, features the state says can be used to target children.
The legal dispute centers partly on whether the company can be held responsible for harmful actions involving users. Roblox’s attorneys argue the lawsuit should be dismissed because online platforms are broadly shielded from liability for user-generated content under the Communications Decency Act of 1996.
Defense attorney Ed Burbach said the state’s filing does not sufficiently demonstrate violations of Louisiana law.
After Friday’s hearing, Burbach told WWL Louisiana the company has invested heavily in safety measures.
“I think we have to wait and see,” Burbach said. “Roblox spends a lot of time making sure it is a safe platform.”
Roblox, one of the most popular gaming platforms for children and teens, has denied the allegations and says it has implemented multiple safeguards designed to protect users, including systems that filter personal information and moderate interactions.
In a statement to WWL, a Roblox spokesperson said the company believes the lawsuit contains “legal and factual defects.”
“While no system can be perfect, Roblox is deeply committed to safety, with multiple layers of protection in place to help safeguard users,” the statement said.
The issue has drawn attention following several criminal investigations involving suspects accused of targeting minors after meeting them through the platform.
In one recent case, investigators in Lafourche Parish charged an Alabama man accused of abusing a teenager he allegedly met through Roblox.
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Murrill said cases like that highlight the need for accountability.
“It is not a safe place for your child,” she said. “Every week, we are arresting sex predators who are finding children on that platform.”
The judge did not rule immediately Friday. Murrill said it could take up to a month before a decision is issued on whether the lawsuit will move forward.
If the judge allows the case to proceed, it will likely move into the discovery phase, where attorneys on both sides can request evidence and documents.
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