‘My daughter, 14, was groomed after meeting man on Roblox’
Online Grooming on Roblox Sparks Parental Concern
A parent from Greater Manchester revealed how her 14-year-old daughter was manipulated by a 19-year-old man she met on Roblox, leading to the girl sharing explicit content. The incident, which unfolded in September 2024, involved Carlo Tritta, who exploited the platform to establish a relationship with the teenager. Tritta, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after admitting to creating indecent images, engaging in sexual conversations, and forcing the victim to view explicit material.
Roblox’s Response to the Case
“We are saddened to hear of this troubling case and remain committed to building safeguards to prevent such incidents,” stated a Roblox spokesperson. The platform, which hosts over 144 million daily active users, emphasized its age verification system as a key protective measure.
Despite these safeguards, the victim’s mother argued that Roblox failed to shield her child from harm. She described the emotional toll on her daughter, who experienced suicidal thoughts and sleepless nights. The mother discovered the abuse through a message on her daughter’s phone, prompting an urgent investigation.
The Grooming Process and Its Impact
Tritta initially engaged the girl in casual chats on Roblox, later convincing her to shift conversations to other messaging apps. He sent gifts and a private phone number to deepen their connection, eventually gaining control over her online activities. The victim’s mother explained: “He knew who she rode the bus home with, her friends, and what she did outside school. She felt trapped in a relationship she couldn’t escape.”
“I said, ‘Oh, who’s that?’ and she was crying, begging me not to look at her phone,” the mother recounted. “That’s where it all started to unravel—there were sexual images, videos, and some really bad ones.”
Breaking Bail Conditions and the Invasion
Tritta, who had been released on police bail with strict rules, violated those conditions by traveling 200 miles from Hampshire to the victim’s home. He damaged the doorbell camera and entered the house, where he discussed nightmares with the mother and daughter while they were decorating Christmas cards. Tritta also sent cards urging the victim not to support the prosecution and to report her family to authorities.
“I couldn’t speak—my brain just couldn’t process what I was seeing,” the mother said. “It was my child, and she was suffering.”
Call for Greater Protection on Social Platforms
The victim’s mother now urges parents to monitor children’s use of online platforms like Roblox, which she claims has become a space for adults to groom minors. “It’s dangerous—needs to be watched,” she warned. “It’s a kids’ game, but adults are using it to target children. Platforms must do more to keep young users safe.”
Roblox’s safety systems, including chat restrictions and image-sharing controls, were highlighted as measures to prevent harm. However, the case has intensified scrutiny over the platform’s ability to protect children from predators accessing their accounts. The victim’s mother’s account underscores the vulnerability of young users in digital spaces where boundaries between play and exploitation can blur.
