‘My daughter, 14, was groomed after meeting man on Roblox’
My daughter, 14, was groomed after meeting man on Roblox
Case Details and Grooming Process
A parent in Greater Manchester shared their distress after their 14-year-old daughter became a victim of grooming through an online connection on Roblox. The incident began in September 2024 when the teenager met Carlo Tritta, a 19-year-old from Eastleigh, Hampshire, who later manipulated her into sharing intimate content. Tritta initially built a romantic relationship with the girl, eventually persuading her to transfer their messages to other platforms. This shift allowed him to gain deeper access to her personal life, including her social media accounts and daily routines.
Roblox’s Response
A Roblox spokesperson expressed concern over the case, stating the platform was “committed to building safeguards designed to prevent that from happening.” The statement highlighted Roblox’s age verification system, which aims to limit interactions between users of similar ages and those they already know. However, the mother argued the measures were insufficient, as her daughter was still vulnerable to exploitation.
Sentencing and Legal Consequences
Tritta was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after appearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. He admitted to creating indecent images of a child, engaging in sexual communication, and exposing the girl to explicit content. Additionally, he was charged with intimidating a witness and damaging property. The mother revealed that Tritta breached his bail conditions by traveling 200 miles from Hampshire to her home, breaking the doorbell camera, and entering the house uninvited.
How the Abuse Was Uncovered
The mother’s discovery began with a message on her daughter’s phone. When she asked who the sender was, the girl pleaded with her not to look, crying as she begged. “I just knew then that’s not her,” the mother recalled. “I needed to see what was on this phone. That’s where it all started to unravel.” The phone contained numerous sexual images and videos, including some that were particularly distressing. The girl had been trapped in a cycle of control, with Tritta managing her online interactions and knowing her social circle.
Impact on the Victim
The abuse left the daughter feeling suicidal and struggling with sleep. “She was stuck in this situation where he had passwords for all her social media,” the mother explained. “He knew who she got the bus home with, who her friends were, and what activities she did outside of school.” This level of access made her feel isolated and unable to escape the relationship. Tritta further pressured her by sending cards requesting she not support the prosecution and by reporting her family to authorities.
Mother’s Warning to Parents
The mother emphasized the need for greater parental oversight, warning others about the risks of their children using Roblox. “It’s dangerous—it needs to be watched,” she said. “It’s a kids’ game, but adults are getting on there to groom children. They need to do something about it.” She called for platforms to restrict adult access, arguing that social media should prioritize protecting young users. “I think a lot of social media needs to do more to safeguard children,” she added, reflecting on the emotional toll of the ordeal.
“I was just shocked, bewildered, really angry. 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.”
“With more than 144 million daily active users on Roblox, cases of harm are rare, but we know any incident of harm is one too many and we are committed to building safeguards designed to prevent that from happening.”
“He was just at my kitchen door talking about nightmares while me and my daughter were just sat in the living room writing Christmas cards and watching Christmas TV.”
