Roblox Bans Predator-Hunting YouTuber Schlep, Sparking Online Backlash

Michael “Schlep,” a 22-year-old YouTuber with over 600,000 subscribers, has been permanently banned from Roblox and received a cease-and-desist letter accusing him of violating the platform's Terms of Use by engaging in simulated child endangerment conversations, sharing personal information, and encouraging users to move conversations off-platform. Schlep, a survivor of grooming on Roblox as a child, has conducted sting operations that he claims led to the arrest of six predators, using decoys and evidence mostly gathered on Discord to expose predators whom he alleges Roblox failed to address adequately. Roblox defends its actions by stating that independent sting operations bypass official safety protocols and pose risks to users, insisting that all suspicious activity be reported through their official channels. The ban and legal threats have sparked significant backlash online, with fellow creators and fans launching #FreeSchlep and #BoycottRoblox campaigns, accusing the company of silencing a whistleblower and prioritizing its image over child safety. Schlep has also criticized Roblox for allegedly ignoring serious safety reports, including threats to public spaces, while terminating all his accounts dating back to his childhood. The controversy has prompted petitions calling for the resignation of Roblox executives and drawn attention to broader concerns about predator protection on the platform.