The Roblox Lawsuit and the New Frontier of Digital Product Liability

As plaintiff-side attorneys, we’ve spent decades litigating against large companies, manufacturers, and employers. But we’re now watching a shift — and it’s one worth paying attention to. 

The recently filed Roblox lawsuit introduces a new frontier in platform accountability, where the legal system is being asked to recognize emotional and psychological harm done not by physical products, but by immersive digital ecosystems marketed directly to children. 

Here’s why this matters — and what we, as attorneys, should be watching closely. 

The Core of the Roblox Allegations 

Filed in 2025 as a nationwide mass tort litigation, the Roblox lawsuit alleges that the platform has failed to protect minors from: 

• Online sexual predators 

• Grooming and exploitation 

• Exposure to graphic or inappropriate content 

• Psychological harm resulting from unsafe user interactions 

The central argument? Roblox knowingly created and profited from a product that exposed children to foreseeable harm — and failed to implement reasonable safeguards, despite warnings and widespread reports. 

This isn’t simply a content moderation case. It’s something much more foundational: whether Roblox, as a platform, can be held liable for the real-world consequences of a digital product marketed to vulnerable users. 

Legal Theories Emerging 

While the final outcome remains to be seen, several important legal theories are being explored: 

• Negligence: Failure to protect minors, failure to implement known safeguards, failure to warn. 

• Product Liability: Framing Roblox not as a “publisher” but as a digital product manufacturer — making the design and monetization choices actionable. 

• Breach of Duty of Care to Minors: Especially powerful given the known risks of grooming and psychological harm. 

• Emotional Distress: Both negligent and intentional infliction, based on emotional trauma caused by exposure to inappropriate content or predators. 

• Challenges to Section 230 Immunity: Arguing Roblox’s role goes beyond passive hosting and into active facilitation of harmful interactions. 

The Platform vs. Product Debate 

A key legal question will be whether Roblox is shielded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act — long used as a legal barrier to lawsuits against tech platforms — or whether the courts will allow plaintiffs to proceed under product liability or negligence theories. 

The plaintiffs argue that Roblox is not just a “publisher” of user content, but an architect and profiteer of a gamified, incentivized system that: 

• Monetizes children's engagement 

• Encourages in-game spending 

• Designs environments without adequate safety controls 

• Benefits financially from exposure, not protection 

This argument challenges the very core of Section 230's current scope — and success could set a powerful precedent.  

Why This Matters for Mass Tort Lawyers 

This case signals a growing wave of digital harm claims. As more children grow up online, and as platforms continue to blur the lines between content and experience, we’re likely to see: 

• More emotionally-based harm cases (e.g., anxiety, PTSD, self-harm) 

• Cases involving digital design flaws, not just physical injury 

• Increased focus on platform responsibility, especially where children are involved 

• New legal strategies to pierce Section 230 protection 

What Attorneys Should Watch 

If you’re watching this case (or considering how your practice might evolve with the times), here are key issues to keep an eye on: 

• How courts respond to the product vs. publisher debate 

• Whether emotional distress alone can sustain large claims without physical harm 

• How causation is proven when harm results from interpersonal, in-game interactions 

• The evolving standard of care for platforms targeting minors 

• Use of expert witnesses in child psychology, app design, and tech safety 

• How Roblox’s internal documents (e.g., safety audits, complaints, moderation protocols) affect discovery  

Why McGonigle Law Is Watching Closely 

At McGonigle Law, we believe this case marks a turning point in product liability and mass tort law, where tech companies will increasingly be held to the same duty of care that’s long applied to physical product manufacturers. 

We’re actively investigating claims related to Roblox platform harm involving minors and welcome referrals, co-counsel partnerships, or strategic conversations with other attorneys exploring this evolving area. 

📞 To connect, call us at 800-713-5260 
📩 Or email us at information@mcgoniglelaw.net to discuss collaboration opportunities.