Numerous reports of grooming and sexual abuse on popular gaming platforms such as Roblox have come to light in recent years. At Anapol Weiss, we are currently investigating these cases and have filed lawsuits on behalf of survivors from Texas, Indiana, Washington, and Florida.
Now, according to a recent investigative report by Channel 9 Eyewitness News in Orlando, Florida, predators are escalating their abuse by capturing children’s facial images and using AI to generate sexually explicit content, then weaponizing those images to blackmail and manipulate their victims.
What the Investigation Found
In an investigative report by Channel 9 Eyewitness News, predators are allegedly using AI to generate sexually explicit images of children who are innocently playing on popular gaming platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
By leveraging text-to-image generative AI, these predators can alter a child's face, voice, and even dictate the specific type of sexual act they want the child depicted in—creating highly realistic and deeply disturbing content. These images are then used to blackmail and extort victims.
According to the investigation, more than 7,000 reports have been made to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children involving the use of generative AI to sexually exploit children. But investigators stress: that number is just a data point—not a true reflection of how widespread and hidden this threat has become.
Why Gaming Platforms Like Roblox Are Especially Dangerous
Despite approximately half of Roblox’s players being 12 years or younger, Roblox fails to offer adequate protections for the children using its platform every day.
Roblox allows anyone to sign up for an account, including known predators. It has no screening processes in place that would prevent these predators from creating accounts and having easy access to millions of children. Nor does Roblox verify age or identity, which allows predators to pretend to be fellow children, which is how they frequently initiate the grooming process. Roblox also has an open-chat feature and minimal controls on who can chat with your children. Roblox even allows voice chat, which enables predators to communicate freely with children with no concern about the filtering that Roblox claims to do for text-based messages. Perhaps most alarming, despite knowing for years that its platform has served as a hunting ground for predators, Roblox represents to parents and children that its platform is safe. It is not.
The Role of AI in Online Sexual Exploitation
Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to sexually exploit the vulnerable simply by typing in a suggestive prompt. The findings in this report, while devastating, are also sadly not isolated. In February 2025, a teenage boy died by suicide after he was threatened in a sextortion scam that demanded he pay $3,000 to get rid of an AI-generated nude photo of himself before it was shared with his friends and family.
According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, sextortion scams are on the rise, having received more than 500,000 reports since last year. Tragically, these scams claimed the lives of at least 20 people since 2021. As of publication, over 100,000 reports of AI-generated photos have been reported.
Because AI generation requires little to no technical skill, predators can now create graphic, exploitative content in seconds, no coding, access, or dark web needed.
What Parents Need to Look Out For
If you have a child who regularly plays Roblox or any other online gaming platform, be mindful of the following:
Sudden Loss of Interests and Social Interaction
Groomers often try to isolate their victims. As such, be on the lookout for any sudden loss of interest, both at home and with their friends. For example, turning down invites to summer pool parties, asking to eat dinner in their bedroom, or dropping out of extracurricular activities.
Actively Secretive
In an effort to isolate their victims, groomers will encourage secrecy. Watch for any signs of secretive behavior, including closing their laptop or hiding their phone when you enter the room. It may be a sign they are communicating with someone dangerous.
New Friends
If you regularly monitor your child’s Roblox account, take notice of any new friends they may have added. Be mindful of friends offering gifts, including Robux for in-game purchases, asking for personal information, or asking to move conversations onto another platform such as Snapchat or Discord. These are all telltale signs of predatory behavior.
Anapol Weiss is Here to Provide Legal Guidance and Aggressive Advocacy for Your Child if They Were Groomed or Sexually Abused on Roblox
No child logs on to Roblox or any gaming app expecting to be targeted by predators—but for too many families, that’s the devastating reality. If you believe your child was groomed, blackmailed, or exposed to AI-generated abuse through platforms like Roblox, Discord, or other online games, Anapol Weiss is here to help.
Our dedicated legal team is actively investigating these cases and fighting to hold predators—and the platforms that enable them—accountable. We represent families in Texas, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and throughout the country, and we’re committed to pursuing justice, safety, and lasting change.
Call us today at 215-608-9645 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a confidential, no-cost consultation. Your child’s voice matters—and we’re ready to stand with you.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
