Roblox faces class action alleging child labor exploitation

Dolman Law Group filed a class action lawsuit against Roblox Corp. in federal court Wednesday, alleging the gaming platform built a multi-billion-dollar business model on unpaid and underpaid child labor, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

"The exploitation of child creators was not incidental but central to Roblox's business model," according to the complaint, which was filed on behalf of a mother and her 13-year-old son and others similarly situated. The lawsuit claims Roblox knowingly designed a system that encouraged children to create games and digital content while receiving little to no meaningful compensation.

The case centers on a minor who allegedly worked more than 40 hours per week developing content on the platform without receiving wages, with claims that millions of other children were similarly affected. The complaint outlines multiple legal claims including violations of the FLSA, child labor laws, wage and hour requirements, and unfair business practices. It also alleges that Roblox used a virtual currency system that made it extremely difficult for minors to convert their earnings into real-world compensation.

The lawsuit represents a significant regulatory and reputational risk for Roblox, which derives its content from a developer ecosystem where the vast majority of users are minors. If the allegations succeed, the company could face forced changes to its compensation model, substantial legal costs, and increased oversight from labor authorities. The plaintiffs are seeking recovery of unpaid wages and profits derived from child-created content, as well as the establishment of a constructive trust to hold revenue generated from those works.

The complaint alleges that Roblox failed to implement safeguards to prevent exploitation despite knowing most of its users were minors. These alleged failures include a lack of age verification, insufficient monitoring of adult-child labor relationships, and the absence of meaningful protections within its developer ecosystem. In addition to wage-related claims, the complaint alleges negligent platform design and unjust enrichment, asserting that Roblox benefited financially from intellectual property created by minors without fair compensation.

The plaintiffs are being represented by Dolman Law Group partners Matthew A. Dolman, Sara D. Beller, and R. Stanley Gipe, along with Mazin A. Sbaiti of Sbaiti & Co. PLLC; Christopher L. Ayers and Christopher J. Geddis of Sbaiti & Co. NJ LLC; and Aaron Freedman, Robert J. Quigley, and James Bilsborrow of Weitz & Luxenberg PC. Dolman Law Group has previously been quoted in national media coverage related to Roblox litigation, including articles published by the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times.

The lawsuit adds to mounting regulatory scrutiny of child safety and labor practices across the gaming and social media industries. Roblox, which reported more than 80 million daily active users in its most recent filings, has faced previous criticism over its handling of child safety on the platform. The company's developer exchange program, which allows creators to convert Robux — the platform's virtual currency — into real money, has been a central point of contention, with critics arguing the system's complexity and high withdrawal thresholds effectively lock younger creators out of meaningful compensation.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.