Danny Weber
Two US child protection groups ask FTC to investigate Roblox for allegedly using addictive design to encourage minors to overspend on in-game purchases.
Two US child protection organizations have asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Roblox. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Fairplay claim the platform may use mechanics that encourage minors to overspend on in-game purchases.
In a letter to the regulator, the groups said Roblox allegedly misrepresents virtual currency and digital items to children, employing elements of 'addictive design.' They argue the platform violates consumer protection principles by making its internal economy overly complex and opaque for young players.
One key complaint is how Roblox presents the relationship between real money and its internal Robux currency. The letter states that children struggle to quickly grasp the actual cost of in-game items. Additionally, the platform is accused of creating a false sense of scarcity, actively using rewards and social pressure, which can lead teenagers to spend more time and money than intended.
The complaint also highlights the role of third-party developers. Most games on Roblox are created by external creators, not the company itself. The advocacy groups believe the platform's economy indirectly encourages these developers to further monetize children's attention. The letter includes accounts from young players about peer pressure, saying they feel compelled to buy and spend Robux to fit into the community.
Roblox denies the allegations. A company representative stated that the platform was designed to provide a positive, safe, and engaging social experience, not for short-term user retention. Roblox also points to existing safety measures: parental controls, content filtering based on age ratings, communication restrictions, spending limits, and playtime limits.
According to Roblox, among users who have completed age verification, 35% are under 13 years old, making safety and financial control particularly sensitive issues. Beyond the complaints about purchases, the organizations also accuse the platform of insufficient child protection and potentially exaggerating the effectiveness of its own safety measures—issues that have already led to separate lawsuits at the local level.
Age restriction: 13+.
© A. Krivonosov