Roblox: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:39, 16 August 2025

Revision as of 22:58, 16 August 2025

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Also announced in 2022 were [[Video game content rating system|age ratings]] for games,<ref name=":38" /> a system created by the company to increase the platform's appeal to the [[young adult]] audience, which was the fastest growing demographic on Roblox, by allowing for more mature experiences.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Liao |first=Shannon |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Roblox wants to advertise to gamers ages 13 and up in the metaverse |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/09/09/roblox-ads-metaverse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915222607/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/09/09/roblox-ads-metaverse/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 9, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Initially, the highest rating that games could be given was 13+,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Scullion |first=Chris |date=2023-06-21 |title=Roblox is starting to allow 17+ rated experiences with 'violence, blood or crude humour' |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/roblox-is-starting-to-allow-17-rated-experiences-with-violence-blood-or-crude-humour/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |language=en-US}}</ref> although in June 2023, a 17+ rating was introduced that would permit games to feature more [[graphic violence]], romantic themes and alcohol usage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Alex |date=June 20, 2023 |title=Roblox will allow exclusive experiences for people 17 and over |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23767154/roblox-adult-themes-graphic-content-age-limit-17-experiences |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621051553/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23767154/roblox-adult-themes-graphic-content-age-limit-17-experiences |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref> Similarly, in November 2024, Roblox revamped its [[parental controls]] system, adding new safety measures for users under the age of 13, such as [[screen time]] and whether or not the child can exchange private messages with other users and allowing parents to create separate accounts to control their child's account.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pineda |first1=Dhanika |date=November 18, 2024 |title=With new safety update, Roblox aims to boost protection for young gamers |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/11/18/nx-s1-5195476/roblox-update-child-safety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122142558/https://www.npr.org/2024/11/18/nx-s1-5195476/roblox-update-child-safety |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref name="PatrickSmith2024">{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Patrick |date=November 18, 2024 |title=Roblox gives parents more power to protect the safety of young gamers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/roblox-parents-safety-controls-direct-messaging-rcna180585 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121131901/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/roblox-parents-safety-controls-direct-messaging-rcna180585 |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |access-date=November 22, 2024 |website=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kant |first1=Rishi |date=November 22, 2024 |title=Roblox tightens messaging rules for under-13 users amid abuse concerns |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/roblox-tightens-messaging-rules-under-13-users-amid-abuse-concerns-2024-11-18/ |access-date=November 22, 2024 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

In August 2025, Roblox Corporation became embroiled in a public controversy regarding its moderation policies. The company sent a [[cease-and-desist]] letter to a [[YouTuber]] known as "[[Schlep (Youtuber)|Schlep]]," who was prominent for conducting [[sting operation]]s against alleged [[online predator]]s using the platform. Roblox's letter cited Schlep's activities, which he organized through what he termed "Vigilante Groups," as a violation of the platform's terms of service. Concurrent with the legal notice, Roblox terminated all accounts associated with Schlep and his group, and [[IP address blocking|IP-banned]] him from the platform.<ref name=":0" /> This has also prompted multiple Roblox-affiliated content creators of the Roblox Video Stars Program to leave in protest. In the days following the controversy, Roblox Corporation's stock price fell by over 10%, reflecting investor concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Rich |date=2025-08-15 |title=Why Roblox Stock Got Rocked Today |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2025/08/15/why-roblox-stock-got-rocked-today/ |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=The Motley Fool |language=en}}</ref>

The company's actions were met with major backlash from many online communities who viewed Schlep's actions as a necessary form of community policing. The situation escalated significantly days later and included calls for the CEO to resign and a petition by U.S. representative [[Ro Khanna]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Liddell |first=James |date=2025-08-14 |title='Predator hunter' YouTuber hit with cease and desist letter from Roblox CEO |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-ceo-resign-cease-desist-schlep-b2807586.html |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> On August 14, [[Louisiana]] [[Attorney General]] [[Liz Murrill]] filed a child protection [[lawsuit]] against Roblox Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Conor |title=Roblox Child Safety Controversy Grows: Louisiana Sues Gaming Platform |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/08/15/louisiana-sues-roblox-as-controversy-over-child-safety-and-banning-vigilante-users-grows/ |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en}}</ref> The suit alleged that by actively shutting down independent efforts to expose potential dangers on its platform, Roblox was failing in its duty to protect underage users from harm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liddell |first=James |date=2025-08-15 |title=Louisiana AG sues Roblox and calls it 'perfect place for pedophiles' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/roblox-lawsuit-louisiana-attorney-general-b2808252.html |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> Roblox responded to the lawsuit on August 15th.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=Roblox Responds to Louisiana AG Lawsuit |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/roblox-responds-to-louisiana-ag-lawsuit |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=Roblox Corporation |language=en}}</ref>

==Community and culture==