One of the world’s most popular gaming platforms will soon pay the State of Alabama millions of dollars under a new settlement. The Attorney General’s Office said the goal is to better protect children online.Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Tuesday that Alabama reached a $12.2 million settlement with Roblox, calling it significant for children across the state. He also said the settlement is one of the first agreements of its kind in the country. State officials describe it as a step toward increasing protection for children who use online gaming platforms, especially in spaces where minors may interact with strangers.As part of the settlement, Roblox agreed to make several safety changes, including: Age checks for all users to help keep kids in age-appropriate spaces Stronger parental controls over who children talk to and what games they play Limits on chats between adults and minors unless they’re marked as trusted friends Parental permission required for users under 13 to add trusted friends Restrictions on Robux transfers from adults outside a child’s trusted circle Built-in default protections for minors when no parent account is linked No encrypted communication involving minors, making it easier for law enforcement to investigate abuse and exploitationSmolin said the settlement could be an early sign of broader accountability for gaming companies. David Smolin with Samford University’s Center for Children, Law and Ethics said platforms like Roblox should be held accountable for the risks children face online.“It’s assertive,” Smolin said. “It’s aggressive. It’s not just sitting back waiting for the legislature to act. It’s the state attorney general saying, ‘We see a harm to our kids, and we’re going to go after the companies. It is really using—as a model—tobacco settlements and other kinds of harmful products. That’s the playbook.”>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13Parent Sharon Johnson told WVTM 13 the fear of what her child is doing online is real. She’s all for protecting her 16-year-old daughter and feels other parents should do the same.“Stay involved in your phone your kids,” she said. “Because I know some kids do not like their parents to look at their phone. ‘This my phone.’ Well, no, I pay the bill. You need to take that child’s phone and look at it. I think parents should know what their kids are doing.”The Attorney General’s Office said the settlement could help set a standard for how gaming platforms are expected to protect children online moving forward.Under the settlement, Roblox will pay the settlement directly to Alabama, with the money set to go toward funding school resource officers through the Attorney General’s Safe School Initiative. The state also said it handled the case internally. That means Alabama will keep 100% of the settlement funds without outside legal fees being added.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

One of the world’s most popular gaming platforms will soon pay the State of Alabama millions of dollars under a new settlement. The Attorney General’s Office said the goal is to better protect children online.

Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Tuesday that Alabama reached a $12.2 million settlement with Roblox, calling it significant for children across the state. He also said the settlement is one of the first agreements of its kind in the country. State officials describe it as a step toward increasing protection for children who use online gaming platforms, especially in spaces where minors may interact with strangers.

As part of the settlement, Roblox agreed to make several safety changes, including:

  • Age checks for all users to help keep kids in age-appropriate spaces
  • Stronger parental controls over who children talk to and what games they play
  • Limits on chats between adults and minors unless they’re marked as trusted friends
  • Parental permission required for users under 13 to add trusted friends
  • Restrictions on Robux transfers from adults outside a child’s trusted circle
  • Built-in default protections for minors when no parent account is linked
  • No encrypted communication involving minors, making it easier for law enforcement to investigate abuse and exploitation

Smolin said the settlement could be an early sign of broader accountability for gaming companies. David Smolin with Samford University’s Center for Children, Law and Ethics said platforms like Roblox should be held accountable for the risks children face online.

“It’s assertive,” Smolin said. “It’s aggressive. It’s not just sitting back waiting for the legislature to act. It’s the state attorney general saying, ‘We see a harm to our kids, and we’re going to go after the companies. It is really using—as a model—tobacco settlements and other kinds of harmful products. That’s the playbook.”

>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13

Parent Sharon Johnson told WVTM 13 the fear of what her child is doing online is real. She’s all for protecting her 16-year-old daughter and feels other parents should do the same.

“Stay involved in your phone [with] your kids,” she said. “Because I know some kids do not like their parents to look at their phone. ‘This my phone.’ Well, no, I pay the bill. You need to take that child’s phone and look at it. I think parents should know what their kids are doing.”

The Attorney General’s Office said the settlement could help set a standard for how gaming platforms are expected to protect children online moving forward.

Under the settlement, Roblox will pay the settlement directly to Alabama, with the money set to go toward funding school resource officers through the Attorney General’s Safe School Initiative. The state also said it handled the case internally. That means Alabama will keep 100% of the settlement funds without outside legal fees being added.

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