To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen warns Roblox dangers far worse than past online chatrooms

Investigative journalist Chris Hansen warns parents about Roblox, comparing it to an amusement park where “kids are flying off” the rides.The “To Catch a Predator” host sat down for the “Planet Tyrus” podcast to explain his findings and what he claims is a surge of grooming on the site.Hansen noted that the platform’s visual style, which features cartoon, customizable avatars, often masks the underlying dangers.“It was shocking to me that you have this kids’ game with characters that appear to be so innocent, like Lego characters, but I guess it just goes to show that predators will go wherever the children are,” Hansen said.Roblox is a gaming giant used by millions of children and teenagers.

The company is facing a wave of legal challenges, including a lawsuit involving more than 140 people who argue the game’s design, such as open chat and private spaces, aided predators.Several state attorneys general have also launched lawsuits against the company, accusing it of prioritizing profits over user safety.Hansen investigated the platform for his streaming network, digging into allegations of child exploitation.He said today’s digital landscape is far more dangerous for children than early internet chatrooms.“People ask, ‘Is the problem worse today than it was 22 years ago?’ The answer is yes, it’s way worse because there are so many different platforms upon which adults can approach children,” Hansen said.A spokesperson for Roblox told Fox News Digital that “safety is at the core of everything we do,” and noted they have a “multi-layered defense system” blending technology and strict policy enforcement to keep young people safe.“We have always completely blocked the sharing of images or videos in chat and use rigorous filters designed to prevent the exchange of personal information,” the company added. They also pushed back against Hansen’s claims, saying, “This characterization of Roblox is simply untrue ...