Nevada Secures Landmark $12M Settlement With Roblox to Combat Digital Addiction and Predators

LAS VEGAS, NV — In a first-of-its-kind agreement aimed at dismantling the “digital hooks” of online gaming, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced a massive $12 million settlement with Roblox on Wednesday. The deal signals a major shift in how the state intends to protect its youngest residents from the dual threats of screen addiction and online exploitation.

Funding “Real World” Alternatives

The cornerstone of the agreement is a $10 million commitment over the next three years to fund “preventive programs” specifically designed to pull children away from their screens. According to Ford, these funds will be directed toward non-digital activities and community organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Club, to encourage face-to-face social interaction and offline hobbies.

“This settlement will create a safer environment for our children online, and I hope it will serve as a bellwether,” said Attorney General Ford. “Protecting Nevada’s children is not an option; it’s our duty.”

Aggressive New Safety Guardrails

Beyond the financial penalties, Roblox has agreed to implement significant technical changes to its platform for Nevada users under the age of 16:

Facial Age Estimation: The platform will use AI technology to verify ages and restrict chats between adults and minors.
Nighttime Lockouts: Nighttime notifications for minors will be restricted to prevent sleep disruption and late-night browsing.
Predator Prevention: Roblox will fund a dedicated law enforcement liaison position specifically tasked with responding to safety concerns and tracking predatory behavior on the platform.
Trusted Contacts: Adult and minor users will only be permitted to chat if they are verified “trusted friends” through QR codes or synced phone contacts, ensuring the connection exists in the real world.

The Bigger Picture: A War on Tech Addiction

The Roblox victory is part of a broader legal offensive by the Attorney General’s office. Ford currently has pending lawsuits against other tech giants, including Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, alleging that their algorithms are designed to deliberately addict children.

By redirecting settlement funds into community clubs and offline programming, Nevada is taking a proactive stance against the “epidemic” of screen addiction that local health experts have linked to a rise in youth mental health crises.

Source: Office of the Nevada Attorney General