Federal Lawsuit Accuses Roblox of Enabling Sexual Exploitation of Teenage Girl

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BRADLEY/GROMBACHER, LLP filed a lawsuit on behalf of a 14-year-old girl ("Jane Doe") who alleges she was sexually exploited after being groomed on Roblox and Discord. Her mother, Mary Doe, is suing both companies in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that their platforms' designs, deceptive safety promises, and refusal to implement safeguards directly facilitated her daughter's abuse.

The complaint asserts that Roblox and Discord knowingly sacrificed child safety in favor of rapid growth and profits, creating environments where predators thrive. Jane Doe's case is just one tragic example of a systemic problem. She was a Texas minor when the grooming and abuse occurred, and has suffered lasting psychological trauma, emotional distress, and loss of personal security.

The complaint alleges she was a frequent user of both apps and was targeted by a predator who posed as a child on Roblox. Over six months, he built her trust, then moved communications to Discord where the grooming intensified. He sent her sexual messages and images, coerced her into sharing photos of herself, and persuaded her to arrange an in-person meeting. Thankfully, law enforcement intervention prevented the meeting, but Jane Doe suffered lasting psychological harm.

The complaint alleges that Roblox's lack of effective age verification and open chat design made initial contact possible, while Discord's structure provided a private channel for escalation.

"Roblox has long promoted itself as the "#1 gaming site for kids and teens," said attorney Kilery Grombacher. "The company repeatedly assured parents that it takes every precaution possible to keep children safe, and executives frequently make public statements emphasizing safety, moderation, and parental controls. But Roblox's long history of explicit sexual content, including 'condo games,' virtual strip clubs, and role-playing experiences that normalize sexual exploitation is common and children often suffer as a result. This suit is focused on holding both companies responsible for how they have enabled predators."

Both companies are accused of knowingly choosing growth over safety:

Roblox allegedly ignored employee proposals for stronger parental controls and resisted verifiable parental consent measures because they could reduce user counts.

The company's "aging up" strategy to attract older users allegedly exposed younger users to adult content and contacts without meaningful safeguards.

Discord is accused of failing to implement effective content moderation or user verification, allowing predators to operate unchecked.

"This lawsuit is about one child's exploitation, and it's about so many other children," said Ms. Grombacher. "It seeks to hold Roblox and Discord accountable for creating platforms that allegedly function as hunting grounds for predators."

Jane Doe's ordeal exemplifies the real-world consequences of corporate decisions to value growth over safety.

The case raises broader questions about how tech companies should be held responsible for child exploitation facilitated by their platforms, particularly when they market themselves as safe, family-friendly spaces while allegedly refusing to implement basic protections.

The case is Mary Doe v. Roblox Corporation and Discord Inc., USDC Northern District of California, Case No. 3:25-cv-07686.

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SOURCE Bradley/Grombacher