Georgia

As Georgia investigates Roblox, a larger debate emerges over child safety in the digital age

Published

2 weeks ago

February 19, 2026

As Georgia investigates Roblox, a larger debate emerges over child safety in the digital age

If you ask most adults about Roblox, they might not know whether it’s a game, a social network, or something in between.

If you ask their children, they’ll tell you: it’s everything.

Roblox — the sprawling online platform where users build, play, and chat inside millions of user-generated worlds — has become a digital playground for tens of millions of kids and teens. But in Georgia, that playground is now under scrutiny.

When Kim Kardashian threatened legal action after her son encountered explicit, fake content on Roblox, it was dismissed by some as celebrity drama.

In Georgia this week, concerns about the same platform became something else entirely: a matter for the state’s top law enforcement officer.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has launched an investigation into Roblox to determine whether the company is violating state consumer protection laws and placing children at risk.

Carr’s office confirmed the probe following repeated reports of child abuse and sexual exploitation allegedly linked to interactions that began on the platform.

The investigation follows troubling incidents involving minors. Earlier this year, Georgia State Patrol troopers recovered two girls who had gone missing from their Florida home after communicating with a 19-year-old man on Roblox. The suspect, from Nebraska, now faces kidnapping and other charges.

In a separate 2023 case, authorities said an adult posing as a child used Roblox’s chat function to contact a 12-year-old boy and later coerced him into sending explicit photos.

Those cases are now fueling a broader debate: How safe are children on platforms designed for them — and who should be held responsible when harm occurs?

A platform built for play and conversation

At Georgia Institute of Technology, Professor Munmun De Choudhury studies computational social science, analyzing how digital platforms affect personal and societal well-being.

She says the core risks experts see on platforms like Roblox are not new, but they are evolving.

“One of the main safety risks,” she explained,” is kids encountering strangers — sometimes adults posing as children — and being exposed to unsafe or harmful interactions that can lead to grooming.”

Roblox is not just a gaming platform. It’s also a social one. Players chat while they build, compete, and collaborate. That hybrid design is part of its appeal and part of its vulnerability.

“What makes Roblox different,” Professor De Choudhury said, “is that it is a space specifically popular with kids and teens. It’s not just about gaming. It’s about socializing.”

That distinction matters. When social interaction is layered onto immersive digital worlds, the line between play and persuasion can blur.

The limits of parental controls

Roblox, like many platforms, offers parental control settings. But Professor De Choudhury says there’s often a gap between the existence of safety tools and their real-world effectiveness.

“Parents may not fully understand how to configure those tools,” she said. “Kids may not be aware of them. And sometimes parental controls alone are not sufficient.”

Part of the problem, she explained, is that online safety often operates in “catch-up mode.” By the time platforms develop solutions, bad actors have already adapted.

Artificial intelligence now powers age verification systems and content filters across many platforms. But those tools are not flawless.

“Age verification algorithms can make mistakes,” she said. “Content filtering can catch obvious harmful language, but people who groom children often use coded or subtle phrasing.”

In other words: technology can help — but it is not a silver bullet.

Georgia’s investigation in a national context

Georgia’s probe into Roblox does not exist in isolation.

Across the country, lawmakers are grappling with how to regulate child-facing technology.

States have proposed stricter age verification laws, stronger data privacy protections, and new standards for platform accountability.

In Washington, bipartisan conversations continue about whether companies should face clearer legal duties to protect minors online.

The legal question often centers on a thorny issue: Should platforms be held responsible for harm caused by user-generated content?

Professor De Choudhury says one guiding principle could be borrowed from other industries.

“‘Do no harm’ is a principle we see in medicine and other consumer contexts,” she said. “There could be minimum safety standards that child-facing platforms must meet.”

Right now, she added, much of the burden rests with the platforms themselves.

“Anyone outside the platform cannot monitor those conversations. So providing guidance or standards could go a long way.”

For Georgia families watching this investigation unfold, that question is more than theoretical.

What parents can do now

While policymakers debate reforms, experts say there are immediate steps families can take.

Professor De Choudhury emphasizes “psychological safety” first.

“If somebody makes you uncomfortable online, I’m here for you. You can talk to me,” she suggests parents tell their children.

She also encourages active mediation — not just restricting access, but engaging with the platform alongside a child.

“Play the game with them,” she said. “It builds trust and helps parents understand where risks might lie.”

Clear digital rules, collaborative conversations, and media literacy — for both parents and children — remain among the most effective safeguards.

The bigger reckoning

As of February 2026, at least six state attorneys general have launched investigations or taken legal action against Roblox over concerns about child safety and exploitation, with several states already filing lawsuits.

For Georgia, the Roblox investigation is about state law and consumer protection. For the nation, it is part of a larger reckoning over how technology companies design products for children.

Roblox is unlikely to be the last platform to face scrutiny. As immersive technologies expand — from AI chatbots to virtual reality — the challenges around monitoring, moderation, and accountability will only grow more complex.

“The issues precede the solutions,” Professor De Choudhury said.

The question now facing Georgia regulators — and lawmakers across the country — is whether the solutions can finally catch up.

For millions of children logging in after school, that answer could shape the digital playground for years to come.

In a statement to CBS News Atlanta Roblox said: “We share Attorney General Carr’s commitment to helping keep children safe online. As a platform built with a young audience in mind, Roblox has a history of pioneering industry-leading safeguards designed to monitor for harmful content and proactively block the exchange of images and personal information in chat. Our commitment to safety has no finish line…”

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Georgia

Cal Men’s Basketball: Bears Stay Focused and Outlast a Beleaguered Georgia Tech 76-65

Published

10 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Cal Men’s Basketball: Bears Stay Focused and Outlast a Beleaguered Georgia Tech 76-65

image courtesy of @CalMBBAll

Cal entered tonight’s matchup against a destitute Georgia Tech side dusting themselves off from an unexpected loss to a middle of the road Pitt team. The Golden Bears were looking to stay on the bubble of the NCAA tournament, while Tech, who finished last in ACC play, were simply trying to finish out their season with pride. This game marked the beginning of what will prove to be a long road trip for the boys from Berkeley.

Tech came out red hot from 3, thanks to forward Kowacie Reeves, who went 5-8 from behind the arc in the first half, while the entire Cal team was 0-12. His 19 points provided the difference in a first half with long stretches where neither team could put the ball in the basket.

Cal were frustrated early offensively, with Justin Pippen and Dai Dai Ames held scoreless in the first half. Lee Dort proved his offensive value, as the highest scorer for the Bears in the first half, particularly finding success in the paint, and they started the second half off feeding him early inside with some success.

The Bears opened the second half strong, finding ways to run their sets and get more players looks around the basket. Simultaneously, Camden began to find his shot from three, and things began to fall into place for a Cal side that was already having a decent night on the boards.

Georgia Tech could not keep pace once Cal’s offense found a rythm, though they would have to do so without any scoring contributions from Justin Pippen, who went 0-7 from the field, but closed out the night with eight assists and two rebounds.

Ultimately, Tech’s 18 turnovers, and Cal’s persistence gave way to a Bears lead that wouldn’t be overcome. The Yellow Jackets did not have an answer for Lee Dort’s efforts in the paint, and when Dai Dai Ames found his footing on offense, eventually the game was all but finished. Despite a valiant effort, the Yellow Jackets could not maintain an offensive pace or defensive effort to keep up with Cal, who face Wake Forest this Saturday in another must win.

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Georgia

Georgia Lt. Gov. candidate releases controversial ‘Sharia law’ video

Published

23 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Lt. Gov. candidate releases controversial ‘Sharia law’ video

In the days since the initial U.S. strikes in Iran, countless lawmakers stateside have weighed in on the Trump Administration’s decision to once again get involved in a conflict in the Middle East.

Prominent Georgia political figures like former representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Senators Ossoff and Warnock have denounced the attacks, while candidates to replace MTG and others running in midterm elections have backed the president.

Now, Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal, who is running for Lieutenant Governor in November, has posted a controversial video to social media depicting a hypothetical scenario where an extreme version of what he calls “Sharia law” has taken over the United States.

“London has fallen. Europe is under siege. In America, the invaders who would rather pillage our generosity than assimilate are roaming Minnesota, New York and LA,” Dolezal said in the post. “As Lt. Governor, I will fight the enemy before they’re within the gates and keep Georgia safe and Sharia free.”

The video was marked with a content warning on X.

What does the video show?

The video, appearing to have been AI-generated, begins with two people walking toward a building and wearing head coverings, possibly hijabs, shaylas, Al-miras or khimars.

It then cuts to a man writing with frosting on a cake, possibly “Happy Easter,” but the letters are unclear. A figure dressed in all black runs into frame and slices the cake with a weapon like a Zulfiqar sword.

It goes on to show military vehicles driving down the street, a woman being stopped from driving, a group of men in head coverings shooting weapons into the air and a suicide bomber vest, all while playing a song with the lyrics “No Sharia.”

(Warning: the video may be disturbing for some viewers.)

Video called ‘disgusting’ and ‘racist’

The video was met with significant criticism, including from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan.

“This is disgusting. People wonder why I became a Democrat, it’s because of the inexcusable hatred spewed by so many Republicans like Greg Dolezal. Hate, including Islamophobia, has no place in Georgia,” Duncan wrote on X.

Rev. James “Major” Woodall, Sr., of Atlanta, called the video “deeply racist.”

“As a Christian man who deeply loves Georgia, I pray you never become Lt. Governor,” Woodall wrote.

Emanuel Jones, of the state senate, called out his fellow representative and said “if you don’t know it yet, Georgia is better than this!!”

“We don’t need race baiting, fear mongering to get votes. Perhaps that (is) what the Republican Party has devolved into,” Jones said on X.

Dolezal got support, however, from MAGA personality Laura Loomer who commented “No Sharia!”

The video has also been reposted more than 1,000 times as of 2 p.m. on March 4.

Who is Greg Dolezal?

The state senator represents District 27, and is based in Alpharetta. He was sworn in to the Georgia Senate in 2019.

He is a small business owner and attended North Park University.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

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Georgia

Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia

A quiet stretch of the Georgia coast is back in the national spotlight.

In a recent feature, Southern Living highlighted the Golden Isles as one of the South’s most serene escapes, praising the region’s undeveloped marshes, barrier islands and slower pace compared to other East Coast beach destinations.

Located roughly halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, the Golden Isles include Brunswick, Sea Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Little St. Simons Island.

Here’s what to know.

What makes Georgia’s Golden Isles different?

Unlike more densely developed beach towns in neighboring states, Georgia’s coastline is defined by tidal creeks, salt marshes and wide stretches of protected land.

“The coast of Georgia is quite different than the shores of North Carolina or South Carolina,” Southern Living wrote. “It’s wilder and quieter, and it’s much less populated with beach towns.”

While the islands offer modern resorts and vacation homes, much of the natural character remains intact.

One of the most photographed spots is Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, known for its haunting remains of a maritime forest scattered along the shoreline.

Where are visitors staying?

The publication pointed to several well-known properties across the islands:

The Cloister at Sea Island
Jekyll Island Club Resort
St. Simons Island: The Grey Owl Inn and the St. Simons Lighthouse.

Little St. Simons Island, accessible only by boat, was highlighted for its all-inclusive lodge and thousands of acres of protected marshland and upland habitat.

What can you do in the Golden Isles?

Southern Living emphasized simple, immersive experiences:

Biking under live oaks
Kayaking through marsh creeks
Horseback riding along the beach
Watching sunsets over the water.

Public beaches like East Beach on St. Simons Island remain open to visitors, while golf courses on Jekyll Island and St. Simons offer year-round play.

The region’s history also plays a major role. Visitors can climb the St. Simons Lighthouse, explore historic districts in Brunswick or learn about Gullah Geechee heritage through local organizations.

For more information, visit southernliving.com/georgias-golden-isles-11906085.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

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