A lawsuit has been filed by a young individual from Kamloops against the popular online gaming platform, Roblox. The lawsuit claims that Roblox is intentionally designed to be addictive to minors, potentially endangering their physical and mental health.
The plaintiff, known as 12-year-old D.J., started playing games on Roblox at the age of five. Allegedly spending two hours a day on the platform, D.J. has also invested a significant amount, estimated between $300 to $500, in purchasing the virtual currency ‘Robux’ within the game.
In collaboration with guardian G.J., D.J. has initiated a class-action lawsuit against the Roblox Corporation, aiming to seek compensation for individuals who believe they have developed an addiction to the game or minors who have made purchases in-game.
The lawsuit accuses Roblox of incorporating harmful design features, facilitating easy microtransactions, endorsing chance-based selling tactics, and more. It highlights the susceptibility of minors to these design elements, potentially leading to addictive gaming behaviors that could harm their cognitive, social, and behavioral development.
The lawsuit’s claims have not yet been put to the test in court, pending certification by the B.C. Supreme Court. This certification would require a response from the Roblox Corporation.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Roblox on the matter are ongoing by 1130 NewsRadio.