Roblox child sexual exploitation lawsuits consolidated in California MDL

Roblox child sexual exploitation MDL overview:

• Who: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has consolidated 31 lawsuits against Roblox Corporation, Discord Inc., Snap Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc.
• Why: The lawsuits claim child predators used the Roblox gaming platform to target minors and persuade them to exchange sexually explicit images on other platforms.
• Where: The case is consolidated to California federal court.
• How to get help: Have you or your child encountered a child predator while exploring the virtual world of Roblox? You may be eligible to file or join a Roblox lawsuit.

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has consolidated 31 lawsuits against Roblox Corporation, Discord Inc., Snap Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. over claims child predators used the Roblox platform to target minors.

The Roblox class action lawsuits have been consolidated in California federal court. 

Plaintiffs claim child predators used the gaming platform to target and groom minors and persuade them to exchange sexually explicit images on other platforms, such as Discord, Snapchat, Instagram, or via texting or video-calling on a cellular phone.

The plaintiffs argue Roblox was aware its platform was being used by child predators to target minors and that it falsely represented that the platform was safe for children to use.

Roblox is also accused of failing to implement effective parental controls and safety features that would have prevented the sexual exploitation of children and failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks of sexual exploitation associated with children’s use of its platform.

Roblox child sexual exploitation lawsuits involve common questions of fact, JPML says

The JPML determined the Roblox class action lawsuits involve “common questions of fact” and that centralization will avoid duplicative discovery and Daubert motions regarding the issues.

Defendants Roblox, Discord, Snap and Meta opposed centralization, arguing that any common issues of fact will be overwhelmed by factual variations among the cases, including the platforms used, the specifics of the incidents of sexual exploitation, and the statements regarding the platforms’ safety allegedly relied upon by plaintiffs.

The JPML, however, rejected the argument, noting that it is not uncommon for product liability MDLs, including those involving video games and social media platforms, to involve a number of different defendants and products.

The JPML also noted that the litigation currently consists of nearly 80 actions and potential tag-along actions pending across 18 districts before dozens of judges and involving at least 15 different plaintiffs’ firms.

The JPML determined the Northern District of California is an appropriate transferee district for the class action lawsuits, noting that 19 of the 31 actions are pending there, as are 24 potential tag-along actions, and that Roblox, Discord and Meta are headquartered in the district.

Roblox is currently facing a number of different class action lawsuits. A group of parents accuse the company of allowing minors to gamble using the site’s digital currency, Robux. Another lawsuit claims Roblox violated children’s privacy by secretly tracking their data without consent.

What do you think of the JPML’s consolidation of these Roblox class action lawsuits? Let us know in the comments.

The Roblox child sexual exploitation MDL is In Re: Roblox Corp. Child Sexual Exploitation and Assault Litigation, case number 3166, before the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.

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