Are Gaming Companies Making Dangerous Mistakes With Age Safety Rules?

Will Gaming Platforms Face the Same Harsh Laws That Hit Social Media? Gaming Platforms Face Intense Legal Pressure Over Child Safety

Gaming platforms now find themselves under the same spotlight that once focused solely on social media companies. The recent lawsuit against Roblox by Louisiana’s Attorney General shows us that governments worldwide are getting serious about protecting kids online.

Why This Lawsuit Matters for All Gaming Companies

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a serious case against Roblox on Thursday, August 15, 2025. She claims the platform creates “the perfect place for pedophiles” because it fails to protect children properly. The lawsuit states that Roblox “has and continues to facilitate the distribution of child sexual abuse material and the sexual exploitation of Louisiana’s children”.

This isn’t just about one company. The case shows that gaming platforms can no longer hide behind the excuse that they’re different from social media. Both types of platforms let strangers talk to each other online, attract young users, and face similar risks.

The Numbers Tell a Concerning Story

Roblox has about 82 million people using it every day. What makes this extra worrying is who these users are:

• 20% are under 8 years old
• 20% are between 9 and 12 years old
• 16% are ages 13 to 16
• 44% are 17 or older

According to another study, 40% of all Roblox players are 12 years or younger, and children under 14 made up 65% of users in 2024. That means most users are kids who need extra protection.

What’s Going Wrong on These Platforms

The Louisiana lawsuit points to specific problems that should worry any parent. The legal filing mentions sexually explicit games that appeared on Roblox, including ones with names like “Escape to Epstein Island” and “Diddy Party”.

The lawsuit also describes a frightening real-world example. Last month in Livingston Parish, police arrested someone who was using Roblox and had “voice-altering technology designed to mimic the voice of a young female, allegedly for the purpose of luring and sexually exploiting minor users”.

Global Laws Are Getting Tougher

Gaming companies can’t ignore what’s happening around the world anymore. Many countries are passing strict new rules:

United Kingdom

The Online Safety Act 2023 requires “highly effective” age verification by July 2025. Companies that don’t follow the rules can be fined up to 10% of their total worldwide income.

European Union

The Digital Services Act now specifically lists age verification as something companies must do to reduce risks. Compliance reports are due in August 2025.

Australia

New rules are coming in 2025 that will require better age checks for gambling and adult content sites. Sites that don’t comply risk being removed from search results.

United States

By May 2025, 19 states now require age checks for online pornography or social media. These include Utah, Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee.

How Roblox Is Trying to Fix the Problem

After facing this lawsuit, Roblox announced new safety features to try to address these concerns. The company added:

• AI-powered video selfie technology that tries to guess someone’s age
• Stricter communication filters for younger users
• Better parental controls and insights
• New “Trusted Connections” feature for verified relationships
• Over 40 new safety features in total

Roblox uses a company called Persona for age checks and ID verification. They say they delete biometric data after 30 days unless legally required to keep it longer.

Payment Processors Are Also Pulling Back

The pressure isn’t just coming from governments. Payment companies like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal are also turning away from gaming platforms that host adult content. This creates another serious business risk for gaming companies that don’t properly protect children.

What This Means for Parents and Kids

Every parent needs to understand these risks exist. Gaming platforms create immersive experiences where kids can talk with strangers through voice chat and text. Unlike static social media posts, games offer real-time interaction that can blur the lines between virtual and real relationships.

The Louisiana case argues that Roblox “prioritizes user growth, revenue, and profits over child safety.” This accusation gets to the heart of how many gaming platforms operate – they focus on growing first and moderating later.

The Future of Gaming Safety

The days when gaming platforms could avoid the same scrutiny as social media companies are ending. Both types of platforms:

• Let strangers interact online
• Attract large numbers of young users
• Face similar exploitation risks
• Need similar safety protections

Gaming companies must now choose between dramatically improving their moderation and safety measures for minors, or risking legal trouble and losing payment processor support. The distinction between social media and gaming platforms is becoming meaningless when it comes to child safety laws.

This shift represents a major change in how governments view online child protection. Gaming platforms that don’t adapt quickly may find themselves facing the same regulatory challenges that social media companies have been dealing with for years.