New York Father Says 16-Year-Old Daughter Died by Suicide After Alleged Roblox Grooming, Raising New Safety Questions for Kids’ Games
UNITED STATES — A New York father is publicly blaming Roblox for what he believes was a months-long online grooming process that led to his 16-year-old daughter, Penelope Sokolowski, dying by suicide last February, according to a post shared by the New York Post. Her father, Jason Sokolowski, says the contact began on Roblox — a gaming platform widely used by children and teens — and escalated into what he describes as predatory behavior that his family didn’t fully see in real time.
What the Father Is Alleging About Roblox Contact
In the account shared publicly, Sokolowski says his daughter’s death was not a sudden, isolated tragedy, but the end result of what he believes was targeted manipulation and grooming that started inside the game’s social features. The post frames the case as a warning about how quickly casual in-game interactions can shift into private conversations and off-platform communication — especially for teens who feel comfortable inside online communities.
Why This Is Getting Attention Now
The post calls out Roblox as a platform “beloved by kids,” and highlights that the company has reported having young users on the service. The caption also claims that Roblox had “some 170,000 users under the age of 13,” according to company data from 2023 — included to underline the broader concern of children using social game spaces where bad actors can attempt to make contact.
What Parents Should Watch For in Kid-Focused Game Platforms
Cases like this often spark renewed debate about how parents, platforms, and policymakers should handle:
- Unmonitored chat features and private messaging
- Strangers attempting to move conversations to other apps
- Sudden shifts in a teen’s mood, secrecy, or online habits
- The limits of parental controls when teens have multiple devices
Even when a platform offers safety tools, families often say the biggest challenge is how quickly conversations can move, and how difficult it can be to spot grooming early.
A Note for Families Reading This
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7.
What do you think platforms like Roblox should be required to do to better protect minors from predators? Share your thoughts and follow more national updates at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
