FTC Faces Call to Probe Roblox After $7,000 Child Spending Spike and 36% Revenue Jump

TL;DR: Advocacy groups have asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to investigate Roblox after a 10‑year‑old spent over $7,000 in two months and the company reported a 36% revenue increase to $4.9 billion.

Context Roblox, a platform that blends gaming and social interaction, reported $4.9 billion in revenue for 2025, a 36% rise from the prior year. The growth coincides with heightened scrutiny of how the service protects its largely under‑18 user base.

Key Facts A parent disclosed that their 10‑year‑old child spent more than $7,000 on Roblox in just two months, despite parental limits. The complaint, filed by child‑safety groups Fairplay and the National Centre on Sexual Exploitation, alleges that Roblox’s virtual currency, Robux, and its in‑game purchase system are confusing for children and make it hard to track real‑world costs.

The filing also points to “engagement‑maximising” design features—daily reward streaks, leaderboards, and loot‑box‑style mechanics—that exploit developmental vulnerabilities such as impulse control and peer pressure. Campaigners argue these tactics push children toward repeated spending.

Ashwin Verghese, Fairplay’s communications director, said parents are “doing everything they can to protect their children on Roblox, but it’s not a fair fight.” He warned that the platform is designed to take advantage of kids’ developmental needs.

Roblox counters that the platform is “built for fun and connection, not short‑term engagement,” citing policies that ban actual and simulated gambling and noting that only 1.4% of its 132 million daily active users were paying customers in Q1 2026. The company has introduced age‑estimation technology and limited chat between children and adults, but critics say these measures are insufficient.

What It Means If the FTC opens an investigation, Roblox could face pressure to redesign its monetisation and social features, potentially curbing revenue growth. The case also adds to a broader regulatory trend targeting addictive design in digital platforms, following lawsuits against Meta and YouTube. Stakeholders will watch for any formal FTC action and how Roblox adapts its safety tools.

Looking ahead, the next step is the FTC’s decision on whether to launch a formal probe, a move that could reshape how virtual economies are regulated for young users.