Kris Mayes Secures Funding to Combat Online Predators After Roblox Abduction

Attorney General Kris Mayes is highlighting concerns about online predators using video game platforms to target children, citing a recent case where a 13-year-old Arizona girl was abducted by someone she met playing Roblox.

During an October 14 roundtable discussion, Mayes questioned whether gaming companies are aware that children are being exploited on their platforms. 

"I think that's something that attorneys general across the country are looking at — the degree in which kids are getting targeted inside video games and the degree to which those companies probably know that kids are being targeted," Mayes said.

Arizona Capitol Times reported that the discussion highlighted a recent Arizona case shared by Democratic Representatives Cesar Aguilar and Quanta Crews of Phoenix. A constituent contacted the lawmakers after a 13-year-old was abducted by an adult she met while playing Roblox, an online platform where players create game content.

The child managed to call home from someone else's phone, telling her family she was at an Idaho Taco Bell and that her abductor wanted to adopt a dog for her birthday. Using that information and surveillance footage showing the girl being placed in a truck while taking out trash, police located and rescued her approximately one week after the abduction.

State Budget

The discussion was part of House Democrats' "Democrats Deliver" tour and centered on $300,000 Mayes obtained in the state budget to fight internet crimes against children. While modest compared to Arizona's $17.6 billion budget, Mayes made the funding a priority due to expiration. 

She's also calling on Congress to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Act, which shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content.

However, Mayes' efforts extend beyond gaming platforms. In August, she joined 44 other state attorneys general in pressuring tech companies to better protect children from AI-related dangers online, expressing particular concern about AI chatbots giving dangerous advice to teenagers, including encouragement of self-harm and violence.

The coalition warned they would not repeat government's delayed response to early social media safety concerns, and it is a growing battle against different platforms now.

National Concern

The Arizona concerns emphasize a growing national movement against Roblox. Kentucky, Louisiana, and Iowa have filed lawsuits against the company over inadequate child safety protections. 

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a criminal investigation into the platform this week, calling it "a breeding ground for child predators" and criticizing its lack of adequate age verification features.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received over 20 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation last year, and Mayes is motivated to help the children.