Judge Blocks Roblox Arbitration Attempt in Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit

A California judge has ruled that Roblox cannot force a child sexual assault victim into private arbitration, preserving the minor’s right to pursue justice in open court. The decision sends a strong message to companies that attempt to use arbitration clauses to shield themselves from accountability in cases involving sexual abuse.

As reported by Law360, the lawsuit was brought by a minor referred to as John Doe. He alleges he was sexually exploited by a predator while using the popular gaming platform. In response, Roblox attempted to block the case from moving forward in court by pointing to its Terms of Service and filing a motion to compel arbitration.

If successful, that move would have forced the child’s claims into a private, confidential process outside of the public court system. Earlier this month, San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Nina Shapirshteyn ruled that Roblox’s arbitration clause is unenforceable in cases involving sexual assault under the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act.

While the decision applies directly to this one case, it could influence how courts handle arbitration clauses in future lawsuits involving similar allegations. The ruling reinforces that companies cannot rely on fine print to prevent victims of sexual abuse from having their cases heard by a jury.

Why This Ruling Matters

This ruling sends a clear signal that companies cannot use arbitration clauses to quietly shield themselves from public accountability in cases involving sexual abuse. By blocking Roblox’s attempt to force a child victim into private proceedings, the court preserved the victim’s right to have the case heard openly before a judge and jury.

The decision may also influence how other courts handle similar arbitration challenges involving minors and sexual assault claims. It strengthens the legal path for victims to pursue justice in the public court system rather than behind closed doors.

As more families come forward with lawsuits tied to online child exploitation, this ruling could shape how future cases move through the legal system and limit the ability of tech companies to avoid transparency.

What Are the Roblox Child Grooming Lawsuits?

Roblox hosts tens of millions of daily users and has long branded itself as a safe, kid friendly gaming platform. However, growing reports of child grooming and predatory behavior have raised serious concerns about whether the company has done enough to protect young users.

Lawsuits allege that gaps in Roblox’s safety systems allowed predators to engage in online grooming, sexual exploitation, trafficking, coercion, and the exchange of child sexual abuse material. Families claim their children were targeted through in game chat features and social tools that failed to stop dangerous interactions.

Children who experience this type of abuse often suffer lasting harm, including emotional trauma, depression, suicidal thoughts, and behavioral issues at home and in school.

Parents across the country are suing Roblox, claiming the company failed to properly protect children by not enforcing stronger age verification, content moderation, and safety controls.

As the number of lawsuits continues to rise, plaintiffs filed a petition in September seeking to consolidate the claims into a federal multidistrict litigation. Attorneys discussed the growing litigation in October at MTMP, a national mass tort conference.

“Roblox claims it is a safe environment for kids, but in fact, for many users, it is a very dangerous place,” Paulos told a packed room of mass tort attorneys.

About Roblox

According to the company’s financial reports, Roblox generated approximately $3.6 billion in revenue last year. The platform reported an average of 85.3 million daily active users in 2024. More than half of those users are under the age of 18.