The US Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism has initiated an investigation into child safety practices on Roblox. In a letter addressed to Roblox CEO David Baszucki, the subcommittee expressed serious concerns that the company "appears to prioritize revenue and engagement metrics over the safety and well-being of our children."
According to the letter, the public record contains significant questions regarding Roblox's promise of a safe environment for young users. "Over the past decade, police have arrested numerous individuals for committing serious acts of violence and harm against children they met via Roblox, including grooming, sexual abuse, kidnapping, rape, and even murder," the senators wrote. The letter further details allegations that Roblox is being used for the distribution of child sexual abuse material, participation in explicit virtual experiences with minors, coercing children into creating explicit content, and facilitating in-person meetings with malicious actors.
Roblox has faced extensive scrutiny over child safety issues in the past year, including accusations from an investment research firm. The company has implemented measures such as tightening restrictions on unrated games, introducing age estimation checks, and creating new types of limited accounts to shield underage users from inappropriate content and potential predators. Roblox CEO David Baszucki has also advised concerned parents against allowing their children on the platform.
The company has faced PR challenges, including a past statement from Baszucki referring to Roblox's predator problem as an "opportunity." Roblox has also been subject to legal actions from various states and international bodies concerning alleged systemic child safety failures.
Despite these challenges, Roblox has received praise from the US Attorney General Alliance for its willingness to collaborate with policymakers and address community concerns. While the platform maintains a large user base, its growth has not been as rapid as in previous years, impacting its share price, though it remains relatively stable compared to 2023 and 2024 levels.
The Senate investigation demands that Roblox preserve all records pertaining to child safety, abuse, and financial exploitation. The company is required to submit requested documents and information by the end of August 2026. "Let us be clear: children on your platform are hurting," the letter states. "Congress will not look the other way."
Roblox maintains that an increase in reported cases of suspected child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children—which more than doubled from 2024 to 2025—reflects its improved systems for detecting and reporting such issues. Mautt Kaufman, Roblox's chief safety officer, stated, "Roblox is built on the foundation of safety. We do not compromise on that commitment. We look forward to sharing the facts about how we work to protect children on the platform."