Roblox, one of the most popular gaming platforms in the world, is under fire after banning a creator who exposed alleged predators on the site. The move has sparked outrage from players, parents, and lawmakers who say the company is doing too little to protect its youngest users.

The controversy centers on a YouTuber known as Schlep, who gained attention for confronting suspected child predators posing as players. His efforts reportedly led to multiple arrests, but Roblox recently issued him a cease-and-desist letter and permanently banned his accounts, citing violations of its terms of service. Critics argue the company is punishing someone trying to make the platform safer.

“I’m honestly so surprised by this, but also not,” said Natalie Huynh, a senior at Chandler High School who has been playing Roblox for years. “Roblox is a huge corporation, and sometimes it feels like they care more about protecting their image than protecting kids. I’m really concerned for my younger siblings and other kids who spend hours on the game every day.”

The backlash has grown into a movement, with petitions calling for Roblox to change its policies and even remove its CEO. Some lawmakers, including U.S. Representative Ro Khanna, have joined calls for stronger protections, while Louisiana’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit accusing Roblox of creating a predator-friendly environment.

For players like Karla Barrios, another senior at Chandler High, the news has been unsettling. “Roblox is supposed to be a fun and safe space, but now it feels like there’s this hidden danger,” she said. “The fact that a community member had to step up and catch predators says a lot about how the company is handling things.”

Roblox has announced new moderation tools and restrictions on mature content, but many remain skeptical. Until then, players like Huynh and Barrios say they’ll be keeping a closer eye on how the platform handles safety going forward.