‘My daughter, 14, was groomed after meeting man on Roblox’
My daughter, 14, was groomed after meeting man on Roblox
Parents warn about online safety as teenager’s abuse case unfolds
A parent from Greater Manchester expressed frustration over the lack of protection on Roblox after their 14-year-old child became a victim of online grooming. The girl, who met Carlo Tritta on the platform, shared explicit images with him before he was revealed as a predator. Tritta, 19, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, admitted to multiple offenses, including distributing indecent images, engaging in sexual conversations, and exposing the child to explicit content.
The incident began in September 2024 when Tritta, then 18, initiated contact with the teenager. Over time, he manipulated her into believing they were in a romantic relationship. The victim’s mother described her initial disbelief when she discovered the messages, which triggered a cascade of emotional distress. “She was crying and begging me not to look at her phone,” the mother recalled. “That’s when I knew something was seriously wrong.”
Tritta was sentenced to two years and four months at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. His actions included breaking bail conditions by traveling 200 miles to the victim’s home, damaging the doorbell camera, and entering the house without permission. He also sent cards to the girl, urging her to oppose the prosecution and report her family to authorities. The mother emphasized the psychological toll on her daughter, who experienced suicidal thoughts and sleep disturbances.
Roblox, a global gaming platform with over 144 million daily active users, stated it was “saddened” by the case. The spokesperson noted the platform’s age verification system and safety measures, such as blocking image sharing and limiting chats for younger users. However, the mother argued that these features are insufficient, as her daughter had passwords to all her social media accounts, allowing Tritta to monitor her interactions and activities.
“It’s a kids’ game, but adults are using it to groom children,” she said. “They need to do more to protect young users.” The mother’s warning underscores concerns about how platforms like Roblox enable predators to exploit vulnerable users. She stressed the importance of parental oversight, urging others to stay vigilant about their children’s online behavior.
“Not with my daughter because I had to keep saying to her ‘I’m not angry with you’ but I couldn’t speak. I don’t think your brain can take in what you’re seeing and obviously that’s your child.”
Roblox’s safety systems, while designed to prevent harm, have faced scrutiny in this case. The mother highlighted how Tritta’s access to her daughter’s accounts created a sense of entrapment, leaving her trapped in a relationship she couldn’t escape. The incident has sparked a call for stricter safeguards, as parents fear similar cases could unfold without greater oversight.
