Roblox Bans YouTuber After Helping Arrest Six Alleged Predators
Jonathan Dubinski 
Key Takeaways
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- Roblox permanently banned YouTuber Schlep, who posed as a child to identify predators and assist in six arrests, citing violation of security policies.
- Schleps actions received widespread criticism from users and content creators, with many accusing Roblox of prioritizing legal compliance over child protection.
- Roblox reiterated its commitment to user safety through partnerships with organizations like the FBI and NCMEC, but cautioned against independent vigilante actions that may undermine their efforts.
- A hashtag #FreeSchlep went viral, gaining support from public figures and users launching a petition to dismiss Robloxs security director for alleged inaction against predatory behavior on the platform.
Roblox Criticized for Banning Child Protector Schlep Amid Predator Arrests
YouTube personality Schlep, 22, was permanently banned by Roblox after posing as a child online to identify suspected predators. Working with fake accounts, Schlep and his team helped authorities arrest six individuals, reporting their cases to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Roblox stated that Schlep’s actions violated their security policies, potentially endangering user safety by creating risky scenarios for children, sharing personal information, and bypassing internal moderation systems. Schlep later revealed he received a warning letter from Roblox threatening legal action if he didn’t cease his activities; his account was also suspended. He claimed to have provided Roblox with proof and detailed reports, but Roblox offered no satisfactory response. Schlep disclosed that his motivation stemmed from being a victim of grooming on the platform during his own childhood. Roblox’s decision drew widespread criticism from users and content creators, who accused the company of prioritizing legal compliance over child protection. The hashtag #FreeSchlep went viral, gaining support from public figures like MoistCr1TiKal and JiDeon. Additionally, users launched a petition to dismiss Roblox’s security director, Matt Kaufman, for alleged inaction against predatory behavior on the platform.
Roblox’s Stance on Online Safety Amid Alleged Predator Arrests and Vigilante Actions
In response, Roblox emphasized its commitment to user safety, citing partnerships with organizations such as the FBI and NCMEC. The company explained that its moderation policies are designed to shield victims and minimize harm, asserting that independent “vigilante” actions could potentially undermine these efforts. The incident underscores the complexities of online child safety and the differing approaches to combating predatory behavior on digital platforms.
About the Author
Carlos Mendoza 
Ahmed Hassan 
Marcus Thompson 
