Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has opened a formal investigation into the popular online gaming and chat platform Roblox, citing repeated reports that predators are using the service to exploit children, according to a press release from his office.

Carr’s announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 17, said the probe will examine whether Roblox is violating Georgia’s consumer protection laws by exposing minors to abuse, trafficking and sexual exploitation. It marks one of the most forceful state actions yet against the gaming platform, which is widely used by children and teenagers.

The attorney general’s office said it has issued a civil investigative demand seeking internal records and communications on age verification procedures, the effectiveness of parental controls, chat moderation capabilities and reports of harm involving Georgia users. The move aims to determine whether the company has taken adequate steps to safeguard its youngest users.

“Predators are using online platforms like Roblox to go after our children, and we’re fighting back,” Carr said in the release. “As a father and Attorney General, keeping kids safe will always be my top priority, and any company that exposes them to harm will be held accountable.”

The investigation follows several troubling incidents that state officials said originated on the platform. According to the press release, earlier this year, the Georgia State Patrol located two missing Florida girls who had been communicating with a 19-year-old stranger they met on Roblox. The suspect is now facing kidnapping and related charges. In a separate 2023 incident, an adult posing as a child allegedly coaxed a 12-year-old boy into sending explicit photos.

In addition to the investigation, Carr’s office highlighted other recent actions targeting online threats to children. This includes the conviction of a Hart County man who trafficked a 16-year-old after contacting her on social media.

Concerns about Roblox’s safety have resonated with GCSU students who say children frequently encounter inappropriate content and solicitations when using the app.

Emma Brown, a sophomore criminal justice major, said her sister regularly plays Roblox and has experienced unwelcome interactions.

“My sister is 10 and is in the 5th grade, and I have seen people who have friended her on the game reach over private chat to ask for more personal information, explicit photos, or even money,” Brown said. 

She added that while some older players enjoy the game, “this is an app that should be a safe space for the majority of users, those of whom are children falling between 7 and 14.”

Grayson Riggott, a senior middle grades education major and student teacher, said some of her fifth-grade students have expressed unease about their experiences with the platform’s communication tools. 

“Whether it is in the form of inappropriate language or explicit messages, my students have voiced their concerns on the increasing issue,” Riggott said.

Carr’s investigation also relates to a broader legislative effort in Washington to bolster protections for children online. He has joined a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general urging Congress to pass the Kids’ Online Safety Act, a Senate-backed bill designed to require online services used by minors to adopt stronger safety measures.

The bill, known as KOSA, would compel platforms that are likely to be used by individuals under age 17 to implement safeguards to prevent harm, such as harassment, exploitation and exposure to harmful content. It would require companies to provide robust default privacy settings for children, tools for parents to monitor and control minor accounts and mechanisms for reporting harmful interactions. 

Platforms also must exercise reasonable care in the design of features that could increase minors’ online activity and offer transparency about how they address risks.

Riggott said she supports the federal bill, noting that stronger standards could help platforms like Roblox become safer. 

“This act not only protects children from receiving any explicit messages or comments, but it also keeps Roblox accountable for what they need to do to change their program,” Riggott said.

Roblox, which markets itself as a safe environment for children to create, play and socialize, has faced criticism from parents and child safety advocates who say the company’s existing tools and moderation efforts are insufficient. 

Although the platform employs automated filters and human reviewers, incidents of abuse and grooming have persisted, raising questions about the efficacy of its protections. 

Carr’s office said the inquiry is ongoing and could lead to further actions if the evidence shows the company has neglected to protect young users.