Exclusive: Edwin Dorsey Uncovers How Roblox Became A Playground For Predators

Edwin Dorsey, founder of The Bear Cave newsletter with over 60,000 subscribers, has been at the forefront of investigative work across many different industries, but his deep dive into Roblox has exposed something especially sinister—a well-documented threat to children’s safety.

In this exclusive interview, Dorsey shared chilling details about the ways predators are using Roblox to exploit children, and why the company has turned a blind eye to these issues.

A Sickening Pattern of Abuse

Dorsey’s investigation reveals a pattern of abuse that is far from isolated. There's a staggering number of documented cases where children have been groomed, kidnapped, or abused after meeting predators on Roblox. Dorsey has reported on many of these instances (some listed below) and concluded this "is just the tip of the iceberg."

• In 2019, 29-year-old convicted pedophile Owain Thomas “groomed 150 children to engage in sexual activity using Roblox.” 60 of those children were under the age of 13, and in many cases, Thomas used Roblox’s in-game currency, Robux, to solicit children. In one case, Thomas “paid a 10-year-old victim 400 Robux to perform a sexual act while he watched him on a webcam.” A lawyer called the volume of abuse “possibly unprecedented.”

• In September 2020, 48-year-old registered sex offender Clinton McElroy was arrested after convincing an 8-year-old girl “into sending sexually explicit videos in exchange for Robux.” McElroy “was previously convicted in 2018 of commercial sexual exploitation of a 14-year-old child.”

• In July 2021, 23-year-old Terrence Barto was arrested for “indecent solicitation of a child, violation of sex offender registry and grooming” after he “contacted a 12-year-old boy in Texas via Roblox.” At the time Barto joined Roblox he was already a convicted sex offender in Washington state.

• In August 2021, 61-year-old John Mathew Piecuch was indicted after posing as a 13-year-old boy on Roblox. He “contacted a 12-year-old girl and requested sexually explicit photos of her and her 5-year-old sibling.”

• In February 2022, 33-year-old Howard Graham drove around 900 miles to meet a 13-year-old girl he had connected with two days earlier on Roblox. Graham drove the girl from her home in Topeka, Kansas, back to his home in Clayton County, Georgia. The next month Graham, who had a prior criminal matter from 2007, was arrested on multiple charges, including “rape, kidnapping, and sex trafficking.” Police found the 13-year-old girl outside a Dollar General.

• In July 2022, Roblox game developer Arnold Castillo was “arrested on charges of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and coercion and enticement of a minor.”

• In January 2023, a federal jury in Grand Island, Nebraska, indicted 26-year-old Tadashi Kojima on charges he “willfully and unlawfully kidnapped a 13-year-old and took the minor across state lines with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity.” The child’s father told police “his son had been communicating with someone while playing Roblox and then was invited to talk on a chatroom service.” Police found the 13-year-old boy, along with Kojima, sitting inside a white Toyota Avalon at a Git-N-Split convenience store.

• In April 2023, 21-year-old Danil Baker met a 14-year-old girl through Roblox and “allegedly convinced the girl to share nude images.” Baker then “picked her up from school in Ohio and took her to a park [and] coerced her to perform sex acts on him.” At the time, Baker was out on bond for a separate pending criminal case also involving a minor. Ultimately, the 14-year-old girl was “found crying alone in the bathroom of a Kroger.”

• In January 2024, 27-year-old Darius Matylewich was indicted “for traveling to sexually abuse an 11-year-old victim” he communicated with via Roblox.

• On August 20, 2024, a 21-year-old Chilean man was arrested at LAX airport “on suspicion of contacting a minor for a sexual offense” after meeting a 13-year-old girl on Roblox and booking an Airbnb near her home.

• On August 26, 2024, 44-year-old Maryland elementary school teacher Mark Cobb was “charged with sexual abuse of a minor, child pornography distribution and possession of child pornography” after soliciting “photos of a 9-year-old student.” The victim told police she chatted with Cobb “via phone and the game platform Roblox.” Police said they found “a black bag filled with children’s underwear in his office” and added, “We know that there are other victims out there.”

Despite these alarming incidents, Dorsey noted that the national media has been slow to report on the issue. While local news outlets occasionally pick up these stories, there’s been very little mainstream coverage when one considers the scope of the abuse.

"It’s the same pattern we saw with other corporate scandals," Dorsey explained. "It starts at the local level, and then it takes years before it becomes a national story."

Roblox's Dangerous Features

Dorsey believes that part of the problem is Roblox’s massive user base, which is overwhelmingly composed of children under the age of 13. "Parents wouldn’t let their kids have Instagram accounts at seven or eight years old, but they assume Roblox is safe because it’s marketed as a children’s game. The platform has become the preferred space for sex offenders to meet kids," he said.

One of the most disturbing details Dorsey uncovered was the existence of organized predatory groups using Roblox as their top platform for grooming. "There are actual groups of predators who pin Roblox accounts at the top of their chats as prime targets. It’s their preferred platform to meet and groom children." He went on to explain that once a predator determined a child was vulnerable, he would then share details about that child with others in the group. The organized nature of these activities demonstrates just how serious and widespread the problem is.

At first glance, Roblox looks innocent enough: a creative space where kids can build their own worlds, socialize, and customize their avatars using an in-game currency called Robux. Parents see their children playing with friends or exploring virtual landscapes and assume it’s a safe environment. However, as Edwin Dorsey explains, Roblox’s design actually facilitates easy access for predators to connect with young users.

"Roblox allows anyone to create an account without requiring an email address or phone number. All you need is a username and password, which makes it easy for predators to create multiple accounts, even after they’ve been banned," Dorsey explained. "It’s not unusual for sex offenders to have five or six accounts at a time. They’ll approach a child using different profiles, making it seem like the child has several friends when, in reality, it’s just one person."

This open system, paired with the platform’s chat features, creates a playground for predators. In contrast to other gaming platforms like Fortnite or Minecraft, where it’s harder to communicate with strangers, Roblox makes it disturbingly easy for adults to pose as children and engage with young users. "There’s no other game I’ve seen that makes it so easy to meet strangers and exchange information," Dorsey added.

The introduction of Robux adds another layer to this exploitation. Kids can use Robux to buy items in the game, from clothing for their avatars to upgrades and special abilities. "Predators will often offer small amounts of Robux—sometimes just under $20—in exchange for inappropriate photos or personal information," Dorsey went on. "It’s a sinister tactic, but one that’s been seen in countless media reports and lawsuits."

Corporate Negligence or Something Worse?

Roblox’s response to these safety concerns has been underwhelming at best. The company claims to have industry-leading safety measures in place, but as Dorsey points out, those measures fall far short of what’s necessary. "They say their moderation system is world-class, but they’re not doing nearly enough. Their AI and outsourced moderation teams can’t catch everything, and they’re missing the biggest threats—predators actively using their platform to target children."

Dorsey has even found complaints on Glassdoor from Roblox moderators who are required to meet quotas for flagging inappropriate content. "When you have a quota to meet, you start flagging random things just to get through the day. Meanwhile, serious issues—like predators trying to get kids’ phone numbers or social media accounts—slip through the cracks."

For Dorsey, the most troubling part is that Roblox knows about these issues but chooses not to take meaningful action. "I’ve heard from people close to the company that they even have a spreadsheet where they track these incidents, but they push back hard against critics. When I first wrote about Roblox, they dismissed my findings as 'wholly misleading, false, and irresponsible.' They claim to have 'a world-class safety system,' but the evidence says otherwise."

The Financial Side

In addition to the safety concerns, Roblox also faces significant issues related to billing and gambling. Many parents have filed complaints after discovering hundreds or even thousands of dollars charged to their credit cards from in-game purchases. Roblox allows user-generated content to be sold on its platform, but in some cases, these items are not authorized by major brands like Nike, leading to a cycle of purchases that disappear without refunds.

"In one class-action lawsuit, parents won after their child purchased a Nike T-shirt for their avatar, only to have it removed because Nike hadn’t authorized it. Yet, other versions of that T-shirt remained available for purchase, leading to more charges and no refunds," Dorsey explained. "It’s just another way Roblox is turning a blind eye to issues as long as it keeps their numbers up."

Additionally, Dorsey has an issue with children engaging in what is essentially gambling on the platform. "Kids can spend large amounts of Robux—thousands of dollars in some cases—on randomized rewards. It’s basically a slot machine for children, and it’s encouraging them to gamble in the hopes of getting virtual items. The platform is designed in a way that makes it easy for children to spend huge sums of money in just a few hours."

These financial issues, combined with the safety concerns, paint a bleak picture of a company that prioritizes profits over protecting its young users.

The Future of Roblox

With so many issues, where does Roblox go from here? Dorsey isn’t optimistic. "I think Roblox is in for a tough road ahead," Dorsey concluded. "I wouldn’t be surprised if Roblox doesn’t even exist 10 years from now. They can’t keep turning a blind eye to these problems forever."

Dorsey sees Roblox as another example of a platform that grew too fast without taking the necessary precautions to protect its users. "It’s like other popular platforms that became fads and then disappeared because of their safety issues. Roblox is skating on thin ice, and I don’t see an easy pivot for them that allows them to continue making money while also fixing these problems."

Still, Dorsey believes that it will likely take a national scandal before real change happens. "This is going to be a huge national story in the next two or three years. You can already see the signs—too many bad things are happening beneath the surface for this to stay quiet. The moment it becomes big enough for major media outlets to cover, Roblox will be forced to reckon with its failures."

What Can Parents Do?

For parents, the takeaway from Dorsey’s investigation is clear: Roblox is not as safe as it seems. "If more parents knew that predators are actively using Roblox to groom their children, I think they’d take immediate action." Dorsey's advice? Monitor your child’s online activity closely, limit who they can communicate with on Roblox, and consider disabling the chat feature entirely.

"You can’t just assume these platforms are safe because they’re marketed toward kids," he added. "Disabling the chat feature is a start, but it’s not enough. Parents need to be involved in every aspect of their child’s online experience."

But the responsibility doesn’t rest solely with parents. Roblox, as a company, must be held accountable for the dangers its platform presents. "It’s horrifying to think that Roblox has become a tool for predators, and until more people speak up, nothing will change."

Other Steps To Take

The most effective way to protect your child online is through open dialogue. Start by asking questions about their favorite games, who they play with, and how they interact with others online. Avoid being accusatory, as this may make them defensive. Instead, approach the conversation with curiosity, showing that you’re interested in their gaming world.

Discuss the importance of personal boundaries online. Explain to your child that they should never share personal information—such as their real name, address, or school—no matter how friendly someone online may seem. Reinforce that private chats, especially with strangers, can sometimes lead to dangerous situations, and it's always safer to communicate openly with you about any uncomfortable interactions.

Teach Kids to Recognize Red Flags

Help your child understand some of the red flags to look out for while gaming online:

Requests for personal information: Stress that any request for real-life details, including their location or photos, should be a major warning sign.

Inappropriate content or behavior: Let them know it’s okay to leave a game if they encounter violent or inappropriate content or if they feel uncomfortable with a conversation.

Scams or phishing attempts: Many online games include in-game purchases, which opens the door to phishing attempts. Teach them not to click on suspicious links or engage with offers that seem too good to be true.

Explore Safer Gaming Alternatives

While platforms like Roblox and Minecraft are extremely popular, they aren’t the only games available. If you’re concerned about online interactions or content moderation in such open-world games, consider safer alternatives that are designed specifically with younger players in mind. Some options include:

Toca Boca: A series of fun, creative apps that allow kids to explore virtual environments safely. No in-game chat features make it a safer choice for younger children.

PBS Kids Games: Games that focus on education and problem-solving while ensuring safety, with no risky social interactions.

Animal Jam: Created in partnership with the National Geographic Society, this game teaches kids about wildlife and the environment while including stricter parental controls for safe social interaction.

Lego Life: A social network built for kids, Lego Life allows them to share their creations and interact with others in a more controlled, moderated space.

By introducing your child to these alternatives, you can still encourage their love of gaming while ensuring a safer, more controlled environment. It’s also a good idea to stay involved by playing games with them or regularly checking in on their online activities.

Utilize Parental Controls

Nearly every gaming platform today offers some form of parental control, even Roblox. These tools can help you limit the types of games your child can access, block inappropriate content, and even monitor their interactions with other players. For Roblox specifically, enabling account restrictions can lock in stricter safety settings, including turning off chat functionality and limiting interactions to curated, age-appropriate games.

The Best Option: Game Together

When parents join their kids in gaming, it’s easier to stay informed about what’s going on in their online world. Not only do you gain insight into who they’re playing with, but you also get a clearer picture of how game developers are handling content moderation and safety. This hands-on approach can help you make more informed decisions about which games are appropriate and safe for your child.

Gaming together also provides the opportunity to establish healthy habits around screen time and balancing online activities with other important parts of life, like school, outdoor play, and family time.

Closing Thoughts

While Roblox may seem like a harmless digital playground, the reality is far more sinister. The platform’s lack of safeguards has created a dangerous environment where predators can thrive. It’s time for parents to take a hard look at the platforms their children are using—and demand better protection from companies like Roblox.

For more of Edwin Dorsey’s investigative work on corporate misconduct, you can follow his newsletter, The Bear Cave, on Substack or Twitter.