Roblox has come under fire after a YouTuber was reportedly ‘banned for exposing predators’ using the app.
Roblox is a platform for online gaming that allows players to craft their own games and experiences.
Recently, the platform has faced significant criticism after a YouTuber, known for revealing child predators, received a cease and desist letter from the company.
The YouTuber, who goes by Schlep and is 22 years old, shared the letter on X, stating that his investigative efforts have led to six confirmed arrests of alleged child predators on the platform.
Schlep himself has a personal connection to the issue as a survivor of childhood abuse.
According to the Associated Press, Schlep alleges that between the ages of 12 and 15, he was groomed by a Roblox developer who sent him explicit content and engaged in inappropriate conversations.
“When my client attempted suicide and was hospitalized, his mother contacted Roblox seeking help,” said Martin D. Gould of Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley (SGGH), one of the law firms representing Schlep.
“Roblox was unresponsive until she threatened legal action. Only then did they engage — and only to claim the abuse happened ‘on another platform,’ despite the predator being a contracted Roblox developer who the company promoted at events.”
After Schlep’s disclosure of several alleged predators, Roblox reportedly filed a legal complaint and banned him from the platform.
They allegedly threatened further legal actions if he continued his investigations or attempted to access Roblox again.
According to Schlep, Roblox CEO David Baszucki even blocked him on social media.
“Instead of thanking someone who was protecting children and working with law enforcement, Roblox is trying to silence him with the same legal intimidation tactics they’ve used before,” said SGGH Partner Steven Vanderporten.
“This pattern suggests a company more concerned with suppressing criticism than addressing the predator problem on their platform.”
A #FreeSchlep movement has emerged on social media, with many users showing support for Schlep.
One notable Roblox influencer has also decided to stop collaborating with the company in protest.
Recently, a mother has come forward to share the distressing story of her 11-year-old daughter who was groomed and raped by a man she met on Roblox.
In 2022, this predator posed as a 15-year-old and traveled to Florida, where he committed the sexual assault against the young girl.
A portion of the lawsuit, as reported by the US Sun, states: “Eventually gaining her trust, the predator escalated his manipulations and encouraged Jane Doe R.M. to meet in-person.
“Traveling from Orlando to Sebring, FL, in April 2022, the predator drove to Jane Doe R.M.’s grandfather’s house and lured her into his vehicle.
“The two drove to a nearby neighborhood where he violently raped and forced her to orally copulate him, causing inconceivable trauma, harm and devastation. The predator was subsequently convicted of his violent crimes.”
Roblox maintains that it is continuously developing safety tools and is testing a new age verification feature.
The company, as well as Schlep’s legal representatives, have been contacted for their comments.