'Systemic failures': Valley mom files lawsuit against Roblox

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A mother in Cameron County has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, claiming that her son was sexually exploited by an adult on the online gaming platform.

The lawsuit was filed on Aug. 6 and comes as several allegations have been made against Roblox by parents nationwide.

The mother claims that Roblox should be held accountable for the absence of safety features on the gaming app that led to the trauma experienced by her 8-year-old son.

According to the lawsuit, a woman met the boy on Roblox, where she posed as a child.

Through continued interactions, the woman allegedly gained the boy's trust, convinced the boy to send his number through Roblox, which the woman used to send graphic messages and sexually explicit photos of herself.

The lawsuit also alleges the woman convinced the boy to send photos of himself.

Eight causes of action were stated in the lawsuit, referring to the misrepresentation and design defects of the gaming app.

"Plaintiff's mother believed that Roblox was safe for children because it was designed and marketed for kids," the lawsuit states.

The causes of action also refer to the negligence of Roblox.

"Had defendant implemented even the most basic system of screening or age and identity verification, as well as effective parental controls, Plaintiff never would have interacted with his dangerous predator and never would have suffered the harm that he did," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit continues the argument by claiming the boy has seen a decline in mental health as a result of the alleged incident, including trust issues, anxiety, and distress.

"Plaintiff's experiences have led to a loss of trust, safety, and personal security, depriving him of the opportunity for a normal and healthy development," the lawsuit states. "This action, therefore, is not just a battle to vindicate Plaintiff's rights — It is a stand against Defendant's systemic failures to protect society's most vulnerable from unthinkable harm in pursuit of financial gain over child safety."

The mother and son are being represented by Dolman Law Group, a Florida-based law firm that has pursued lawsuits against Roblox and represented multiple families nationwide.