by Miami-Dade, FL – A Miami-Dade family has filed a lawsuit against the popular online platforms Roblox and Discord, accusing them of failing to protect their 11-year-old daughter from a sexual predator. The case highlights growing concerns over child safety in digital gaming and chat environments, bringing attention to the risks lurking on platforms frequented by young users.
The lawsuit comes amid broader legal action by families across the United States who claim these companies have allowed their platforms to become vulnerable hunting grounds for child predators without sufficient warnings or safeguards.
The Disturbing Case Behind the Lawsuit
According to court records and law enforcement interviews reviewed by NBC6 Investigates, the victim’s abuser, 19-year-old Anthony Borgesano, admitted to having sexual contact with a girl he knowingly described as “obviously younger.” Borgesano met the child while playing Roblox, an online gaming platform popular among children.
Initially, the victim believed she was communicating with a 15-year-old boy. Their interaction started on Roblox but later shifted to Discord, a chat app where they exchanged photos and videos. Discord is also named in the lawsuit for allegedly failing to protect the child from exploitation.
“This had moved on to an outside communication platform called Discord, where you can share more information and pictures,” said Stan Gipe, attorney representing the victim’s family.
Borgesano met the girl in person twice at her grandfather’s home in Sebring, Florida, where the sexual assault took place, causing life-changing trauma to the young victim.
Legal and Safety Implications for Online Platforms
The lawsuit claims that both Roblox and Discord marketed their services as safe environments for children but failed to implement effective protections. The victim’s attorney, Stan Gipe, emphasized the platforms’ misleading assurances to parents:
“They represent that this is a safe place to leave your kid, that we’ve got all of this great technology that filters messages and will keep your kids safe.”
In response to the allegations, a Roblox spokesperson stated:
“We are deeply troubled by any incident that endangers our users. While we cannot comment on claims raised in litigation, Roblox’s vision is to be the safest place on the internet… We limit chat for younger users, don’t allow the sharing of external images and have filters designed to block the sharing of personal information. This year alone we have made over 100 safety enhancements to help protect our users.”
Discord, while declining direct comment on the lawsuit, affirmed its commitment to safety and explained their proactive measures against exploitation through advanced technology and partnerships with safety organizations.
What Parents Should Know About Online Safety
- Roblox and Discord are widely used by children and teens but require vigilant monitoring.
- Predators may initiate contact on gaming platforms and move conversations to external chat apps to bypass filters.
- Parents are urged to be aware of the platforms their children use and the potential risks involved.
Read Also: 11-Year-Old Boy with Autism Creates Incredible Annual Haunted House in New Jersey
Stan Gipe hopes the family’s story serves as a grave warning to parents everywhere:
“They were shocked to find out this kind of stuff goes on. Their message to the public is — be vigilant.”
For more details and expert perspectives on this ongoing issue, visit the original report at NBC Miami.
What Happens Next?
The accused, Anthony Borgesano, pleaded no contest to charges including lewd or lascivious molestation of a child and is serving a 25-year prison sentence. The lawsuit against Roblox and Discord remains pending, spotlighting a critical debate on how technology companies must improve child safety measures.
What do you think about this discovery? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
