Wikipedia

Draft:Roblox v. Schlep

The YouTube profile picture of Schlep

Roblox v. Schlep is an ongoing legal and internet dispute mainly between Roblox and a 22-year-old YouTuber named Schlep over an account termination and cease and desist that Schlep received on the Roblox platform for catching online predators. Roblox argued that Schlep was violating its safety efforts due to "engaging in simulated child endangerment conversations", "sharing or soliciting personally identifiable information", and "directing users to move conversations off-platform".

The case has received massive recognition by the internet, and Roblox has faced widespread criticism due to their actions.

Background

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Michael[1] (born August 3, 2003)[2][better source needed], known online as Schlep, is an American YouTuber. He is widely known for catching alleged online predators on Roblox, which has resulted in six arrests using the same tactics that the FBI and the ICAC use in their own operations.[3][4][5][6]

According to the Associated Press, when Michael was between twelve and fifteen years old, he was "groomed by a prominent Roblox developer," in which he "sent Schlep graphic violent content and pornography and engaged in inappropriate sexual conversations."[7] Because of this, he committed a suicide attempt.[8][better source needed] After his suicide attempt, his mother emailed Roblox, but received a standard staff response.[9]

Michael worked with Predator Poachers, a Houston-based organization and EDP Watch.[7]

Incident

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Account termination

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On August 9, 2025, Roblox Schlep on their platform due to catching, arresting, and exposing six people that have used Roblox to find and sexually exploit children, including "coercing minors into making pornography".[10] A cease and desist letter was issued to Schlep, which accused him of "engaging in simulated child endangerment conversations", "sharing or soliciting personally identifiable information", and "directing users to move conversations off-platform".[11][7] Following all of his account shutdowns, Schlep publicly called U.S. senator Ted Cruz on Twitter seeking a dialogue about Roblox's safety practices[12] and making a YouTube video on the situation. In his Twitter post, Schlep reveals himself as a Texas resident, and was groomed by a famous Roblox developer when he was a kid, which led to him making a suicide attempt.[13][8]

Archived of the Schlep page for reference

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Schlep
 
Schlep's Youtube icon
Personal information
Born (2003-08-03) August 3, 2003 (age 22)
Texas, United States
Websiteschlep.tv
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2023-present
Subscribers1.03 Million[14]
(August 17, 2025)
Views54.96 Million[14]
(August 17, 2025)

Michael[15] (born August 3, 2003),[‡ 1] known online as Schlep (formerly as MaliBoomer), is an American YouTuber. He is known for catching alleged online predators on Roblox, which has resulted in six arrests. In 2025, Chris Hansen, the host of To Catch a Predator, has reached out to Michael to make an upcoming documentary about child safety on Roblox.

Personal life

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Michael was born in Texas, the United States.[10] According to the Associated Press, when Michael was between twelve and fifteen years old, he was "groomed by a prominent Roblox developer," in which he "sent Schlep graphic violent content and pornography and engaged in inappropriate sexual conversations."[7] Because of this, he committed a suicide attempt.[16] After his suicide attempt, Roblox was unresponsive to his mother until she threatened legal action.[10]

Youtube career

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In 2025, Michael, in collaboration with JiDion, has alleged to catching online predators on Roblox, which has resulted in six arrests.[17][18][6] His most popular video, titled "Roblox Predator Gets Arrested!" depicts him, posing as a young user, luring a man he met on Roblox to meet in real life, where he confronts the user with police.[10]

In Michael most recent viral video, a member of his team pretended to be an underage girl to chat with a Central California man. the man agreed to meet who he thought was an underage girl at a local park. Schlep called the local police, and the man was arrested. the video has 2.7 million views.[16]

Roblox lawsuit

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Main article: Roblox Corporation § Louisiana attorney general lawsuit
External videos
  Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids

On August 9, 2025, a video titled "Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids" was uploaded on Schlep's YouTube channel, where he explained that the Roblox Corporation had sent a cease-and-desist letter to him, as well as terminating all accounts associated with him and his group.[11][19] Chris Hansen reportedly contacted Michael to discuss an upcoming documentary about Roblox's handling of child safety.[10][20]

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.[11] On August 14, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a child protection lawsuit against Roblox Corporation.[10] 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.[21] Roblox has responded to the lawsuit. [22]

Boycott campaign

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After the Roblox's cease-and-desist, an internet campaign entitled #FreeSchlep has exposed broader frustrations with Roblox's child safety record, with supporters noting the irony of the company punishing someone for doing the protective work they claim to prioritize.[7] A online streamer with 3 million followers staged a live protest at the Utah State Capitol, holding signs that said "Free Schlep," for tens of thousands of online viewers. And one of the most popular Roblox creators is selling a shirt with Schlep on it.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "Online safety group nabs Fresno man trying to meet child through gaming platform". ABC30 Fresno. June 14, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  2. ^ "Schlep saying "It's my Birthday" In a YouTube Community post in August 3". YouTube. August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  3. ^ "Roblox has TRIPLED down in their latest newsroom post". X (formerly twitter). August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  4. ^ "'Predator hunter' YouTuber hit with cease and desist letter from Roblox CEO". The Independent. August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  5. ^ NJ.com, Christopher Burch | NJ Advance Media for (August 12, 2025). "YouTuber caught sexual predators on Roblox. Now he's facing ban from the platform". nj. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Hale, James (August 14, 2025). "Roblox banned a YouTuber for hunting child predators on its platform. What's it doing to protect kids?". Tubefilter. Retrieved August 16, 2025. Cite error: The named reference "Hale 2025" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c d e "Roblox Retaliates Against Child Abuse Survivor Who Exposed Platform's Predator Problem". AP News. August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025. Cite error: The named reference ":1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b "Banned from Roblox, creator Schlep recounts childhood grooming on the platform and a suicide attempt as online outrage grows". Indiatimes. August 10, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  9. ^ "Banned from Roblox, creator Schlep recounts childhood grooming on the platform and a suicide attempt as online outrage grows". Indiatimes. August 10, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Carpenter, Nicole (June 25, 2025). "Roblox Accused Of Allowing Sexual Exploitation In Four Separate Lawsuits". Aftermath. Retrieved July 2, 2025. Cite error: The named reference ":2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ a b c "Roblox faces backlash after banning YouTuber Schlep, a vigilant figure exposing predators on their platform. Controversy unfolds". Windows Central. August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025. Cite error: The named reference ":0" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ "Who is Real Schlep? YouTuber banned by Roblox for staging 'child endangerment' chats after exposing 6 alleged predators on the gaming platform". Indiatimes. August 12, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  13. ^ "Hey @TedCruz, I live in Texas". X (formerly Twitter). August 11, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  14. ^ a b "About @RealSchlep". YouTube.
  15. ^ "Online safety group nabs Fresno man trying to meet child through gaming platform". ABC30 Fresno. June 14, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Roblox's 'Vigilante' Crackdown: Why the Gaming Platform Is Banning Predator Hunters". PCMAG. August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  17. ^ "'Predator hunter' YouTuber hit with cease and desist letter from Roblox CEO". The Independent. August 14, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  18. ^ NJ.com, Christopher Burch | NJ Advance Media for (August 12, 2025). "YouTuber caught sexual predators on Roblox. Now he's facing ban from the platform". NJ. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  19. ^ "Louisiana AG sues Roblox, calling it 'the perfect place for pedophiles'". The Washington Post. August 15, 2025. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  20. ^ Bevan, Rhiannon (August 16, 2025). "Chris Hansen Is Investigating Roblox Predators Alongside The YouTuber Who Was Banned For "Vigilantism"". TheGamer. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  21. ^ Liddell, James (August 15, 2025). "Louisiana AG sues Roblox and calls it 'perfect place for pedophiles'". The Independent. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  22. ^ "Roblox Responds to Louisiana AG Lawsuit". Roblox Corporation. August 15, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  23. ^ Gilson, Grace (August 15, 2025). "Roblox's ban of a user named 'Schlep' has ignited a crisis for the mega-popular gaming platform". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved August 17, 2025.

Primary sources

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  1. ^ "Schlep saying "It's my Birthday" In a YouTube Community post in August 3". YouTube. August 3, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
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