Online Child Grooming Lawsuit

Online child grooming involves an adult building trust with a minor over the internet. The adult may then pressure the child for sexual images, in-person meetings, sexual activity or other kinds of sexual abuse.

NCMEC uses the term online enticement for this. It refers to communication with a person someone believes to be a child, with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction.

This can happen on social media, on messaging apps, and on gaming platforms. Common tactics include compliments, claims of shared interests, and likes on a child’s recent posts.

RAINN mentions that statutes of limitations vary by state, victim age, the type of crime, and the circumstances. Survivors may be eligible for victim compensation. Separately, they may be able to file a civil lawsuit for damages.

Lawsuits have focused on platforms where predators allegedly enticed minors onto private channels. 

More than one company can be named in an online child exploitation lawsuit. The defendants under review in the Roblox MDL include Roblox Corporation, Discord Inc., Snap Inc., and Meta Platforms, Inc.

Roblox Grooming Lawsuits

Roblox lawsuits are focused on weak age-safety claims. They also point to other features, including the use of avatars, in-game chats, and Robux. 

Plaintiffs allege that grooming, which began on Roblox, led to sexual exploitation and, in some cases, assault. The filings describe predators connecting with children inside the game. They then allegedly encouraged them to use other apps, where the abuse is said to have escalated.

Discord Grooming Lawsuits

Discord is described as one of the secondary platforms that children are allegedly moved to after connecting on Roblox. Direct messages, private servers, and voice chat are features that claimants point to as enabling grooming to continue. 

Axios reported that Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin filed a lawsuit alleging predators used Roblox to make initial contact with children before moving conversations to Discord. This is because predators could potentially pose as children. This allegedly allowed them to build trust with minors before moving on to Discord. Roblox disputed these claims, arguing that the lawsuit misrepresents its safety features. 

Snapchat Grooming Lawsuits

Disappearing messages are one of the Snapchat features that claims focus heavily on. The New Mexico Department of Justice has made claims that Snapchat misled users. The state claims the company gave the impression that photos and videos are gone entirely once the messages disappear. 

The state alleges that predators could capture that content permanently, which they could then store, sell, or trade online. The disappearing features on Snapchat may also make it more difficult to detect and document child grooming cases. 

Meta, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Other Platform Claims

There are child exploitation claims against Instagram, Meta, Facebook, TikTok, and more. 

There are allegations that predators contacted minors on Roblox. They then moved the conversation onto other platforms. These may have included Discord, Snapchat, Instagram, texting, and video calls, as they were named in the filings. This is where claims of exploitation and, in some cases, assault were reported. 

Predators Pose as Children or Trusted Online Friends

A fake age and a childlike avatar may be enough for a predator to pass as another kid online. References to school and a friendly-looking profile can be convincing to an unassuming child. 

The Arkansas lawsuit mentions that some Roblox users are under 10 years old. It also states that predators may pretend to be children, using voice-changing technology. The lawsuit also alleges that Robux is used by predators as a way to entice children to send explicit content in exchange. 

Roblox has disputed the allegations and says the lawsuit misrepresents how the platform works and the safety steps it is taking.

Children Are Contacted Through Chats, Friend Requests, or Gaming Features

The Nebraska Attorney General alleges that Roblox allowed adult predators to contact minors. This was through private messaging, voice chat, and user-generated experiences. The office also alleges the company knew about these dangers, yet let the behavior continue.

Predators Use Gifts, Compliments, Robux, or Emotional Pressure to Build Trust

Children may feel like they’re receiving special treatment from potential predators. This may be via Robux, gift cards, and compliments. Children may become emotionally invested. This can lead to explicit messages, guilt, threats, and demands for proof of loyalty.

Conversations Move to Discord, Snapchat, Texting, or Video Calls

Predators may want to move the conversation to a different platform. Often, they’ll use platforms with less moderation and parental oversight. 

There are warnings from the FBI that tell young people to be aware of people online asking to continue talking on other platforms. Some minors may feel fear, confusion, and even shame during or after such encounters, which keeps them from making reports. 

Grooming Escalates Into Sextortion, Explicit Images, Blackmail, or In-Person Abuse

Coercion was mentioned in many of the filings. Some children were allegedly pressured into sending explicit images. These images were then used to threaten them. Other filings mention assault in-person, as well as trafficking and emotional harm. 

Sextortion is described as part of online enticement, according to NCMEC. It may involve children being groomed to take explicit images, meet in person, or be engaged in sexual conversations. 

Sometimes, things can escalate. The FBI reports victims experiencing threats of violence. They also report explicit images being posted online.

These lawsuits may target companies and individual perpetrators. Every allegation below is a claim, not a proven fact, and the defendants may deny all of it.

In the Roblox MDL, plaintiffs assert several legal theories. These include negligence, failure to warn, design defect, and fraudulent/negligent misrepresentation.

Defendants may argue that platforms do not owe users a duty of protection where third-party predators are involved. They may argue that alleged predators acted of their own free will, and that the platform did not directly entice such behavior. These arguments may invoke Section 230 and the First Amendment. 

Platforms Failed to Protect Minor Users

Plaintiffs allege that the companies knew children used their products but failed to adopt reasonable safety measures.

Court filings allege Roblox lacked parental controls. The filings also allege inadequate safety measures, age and identity verification, and warnings. Cases that name a second platform raise similar questions about that company.

Age Verification and Parental Controls Were Too Weak

Many platforms only ask users to type in a birth date. Lawsuits mention that weak identity checks allowed adults and minors to interact freely.

New Mexico’s case against Snap includes an internal message on this point. According to the state’s filing, a Snap executive wrote in 2022, “I don’t think we can say that we actually verify users’ ages.”

Chat, Messaging, Recommendation, and Location Features Created Unsafe Access to Children

Design features come up in these lawsuits as well. A friend suggestion can introduce a stranger, and an open direct message gives that stranger a way to reach a child. Location tools and searchable profiles allegedly made minors easier to find and track.

Platforms Failed to Warn Parents About Known Grooming Risks

Some parents allege that the serious risks of platforms were either hidden or played down and that they believed them to be safe. If information had been upfront, they allege they would’ve monitored their child differently. 

This argument is a major part of lawsuits. They claim that there was a failure to properly warn parents of the risks. 

Platforms Delayed Moderation or Failed to Remove Predators

Some claims concern how platforms allegedly responded after receiving a report. Flagged accounts allegedly stayed active, and account closures progressed slowly. Banned users may even have made new accounts under different names. 

A prior allegedly ignored report may later be used as evidence that a company knew about a risk and did not act.

Platforms Misled Families About Child Safety

The Nebraska Attorney General alleges Roblox failed to build safeguards against adult predators. Roblox denies this, as do the other companies facing similar claims.

Warning signs provide you with a reason to look closer. You can have conversations with your child about how they use the internet. These warning signs don’t prove abuse. But they may give you a hint to look closer at who your child is connecting with online. 

NCMEC reported that online enticement reports increased by more than 300% between 2021 and 2023. Experts also note that many children never tell anyone due to feeling embarrassed or unsure about what to do. 

Secrecy, Mood Changes, Anxiety, Withdrawal, or Fear Around Online Activity

Watch for these changes in your child:

• Screens get hidden, apps disappear, or the message history is suddenly empty
• Questions about online friends set off panic or anger
• Poor mood without any obvious reason
• Nightmares
• Anxiety 
• Less time with family and friends, and less interest in school or activities

Unknown Online Friends, Gift Requests, Robux, Gift Cards, or Pressure to Use Certain Apps

If you notice any requests for Robux or gift cards, consider asking your child what they’re using them for. Look for secret accounts and unfamiliar online friends who are older. Also, keep an eye out for messages on your child’s account that suggest installing a new app. 

Focus on your child’s safety before anything else. After that, preserve evidence and get a legal review. Avoid confronting the predator or investigating yourself. It can potentially put your child at further risk and cause complications in a future case. 

Preserve Messages, Screenshots, Usernames, Account IDs, and Platform Reports

Save everything as soon as you can. Accounts get deleted, messages disappear, and predators often remove evidence of what they did.

Take screenshots of chats, profiles, usernames, and friend lists. Note account IDs, server names, and the dates of contact.

Report the Abuse to Law Enforcement, Child Protective Services, NCMEC, or the FBI

Suspected exploitation should be reported to local police. You can also make reports to NCMEC’s CyberTipline and the FBI. Depending on the situation, child protective services may also be involved. 

Minors are advised by the FBI to report crimes to law enforcement. The same applies for any concerning messages. Making reports may preserve potential evidence for later claims. 

Look for Medical, Mental Health, or Crisis Support

Children may be able to process what happened more safely with the right approach. This could involve counseling, support resources, and medical help. This also creates records of treatment and alleged harm. The records may be used in later claims. 

Speak With an Online Grooming Lawsuit Lawyer Before Evidence Disappears

An attorney can help identify the companies involved and seek to preserve the records. They also know the relevant deadlines for claims. 

A combination of digital records and documentation of alleged harm may help support a case. 

Chat Logs, Direct Messages, Screenshots, Profiles, and Friend Requests

Save messages, usernames, account IDs, avatars, and server/group names. You should also save friend requests and the dates the contact occurred.

Police Reports, Criminal Case Records, Platform Reports, and Moderation Responses

Preserve all criminal case records and police reports. Any moderation responses should also be kept. This includes documentation of any lack of response after filing a report. 

Therapy, Counseling, Medical, School, or Family Impact Records

Evidence of therapy, medical visits, and any other changes should be documented and kept. These records may help show how the alleged abuse impacted your child. 

Proof of Robux, Gift Cards, Payments, Threats, or Coercion

Keep all transaction history on Robux, as well as payment records and gift card codes. You should also keep evidence of messages that contain any sort of bribe, demand, or perceived threat. 

Liability depends on the facts of each case. In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility for what happened.

Social Media, Gaming, Messaging, or AI Platforms

If a platform’s conduct is part of a claim, it could become a defendant. Conduct may include poor safety features and marketing elements. Courts may consider whether company features made it easier for alleged predators to interact with minors. 

Individual Predators and Other Responsible Parties

The perpetrator may be sued directly. Collecting damages from an individual is often difficult, though. Other institutions or enablers may also be a part of the case, depending on the facts.

Potential compensation depends on the specifics of the case. This includes the strength of evidence, as well as the law in your state. Potential compensation cannot be estimated upfront because every case depends on its specific facts and applicable law.

Therapy, Medical Care, Emotional Distress, and Long-Term Support

Claims may seek the cost of counseling, trauma care, and medical treatment. They can also include compensation for anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.

As reported by the CDC, sexual abuse can affect how a person thinks, acts, and feels over their entire life. This may include depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Educational, Developmental, and Quality-of-Life Harm

Some children change schools. Others withdraw from friends, drop activities they loved, or lose the easy confidence they had before.

Courts may recognize these losses as well. That can include disrupted education and serious changes to family life.

Claims have been filed around the country, with states bringing enforcement actions. Some federal cases have also been coordinated.

Roblox Child Exploitation and Grooming Lawsuits

There are now federal claims against Roblox that have been centralized for pretrial handling. The allegations include child grooming via chat and enticing minors with Robux. Poor age controls and safety concerns over moving children to other platforms are included in these claims.

Los Angeles County alleges the platform is primarily for younger audiences. The county cites more than 151 million daily users and over 380 million monthly users. More than 40% were reportedly under age 13. 

Snapchat Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Claims against Snapchat focus on the disappearing messages, Quick Add, and location features. These features allegedly give predators access to minors. The New Mexico sextortion case against Snapchat contains detailed public allegations. 

Child Safety on Discord and Grooming Lawsuits

Lawsuits claim Discord was used as the next platform to escalate behavior. The private messages, voice chat, and Discord servers are part of this.

State Attorney General Investigations, Settlements, MDLs, and Coordinated Lawsuits

Attorneys general in Arkansas, Nebraska, and New Mexico have brought their own actions. When a state files an online child safety lawsuit, it often seeks penalties. It may also seek changes in a company’s operations.

A separate civil claims case is where compensation may be pursued. A state settlement doesn’t always mean the case is closed. 

A lawyer’s work in these cases is part investigation, part advocacy. Much of it may begin long before a case reaches the courtroom.

See Whether Your Family May Have a Claim

An attorney looks at the facts and their impact on your child. They will also take into account the relevant deadlines. This review may help families understand their options sooner. 

Find the Platforms and Companies Involved

Lawyers can work to narrow down the companies involved in these interactions. They may also help trace activity across the platforms involved. 

Preserve Evidence and File Before the Legal Deadline

An attorney can request records that you may not have access to. They can do this via record requests, preservation letters, and, when available, subpoenas. They are also well informed of legal deadlines and can work to file the claim in time. 

What happened was not your fault. It was not your child’s fault either.

A lawyer can review your family’s situation confidentially. Submitting a form does not guarantee representation or any outcome. It may be a useful first step for your family.

Get a free consultation for an online child grooming or sex abuse lawsuit today.