SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — Two Bay Area-based online platforms, Roblox and Discord, are under intense scrutiny from law enforcement and legal experts who warn that predators are exploiting these apps to groom and abuse children, leading to alarming real-world consequences. A recent incident involving a 10-year-old girl from Kern County highlights the potential dangers of these platforms. The girl was discovered 270 miles from home in Elk Grove after allegedly being abducted by a 27-year-old man she met on both Roblox and Discord.
Matthew Macatuno Naval was arrested this week in Elk Grove and now faces serious charges of kidnapping and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. “Criminals no longer have to go into parks to snatch up our children. They’re on social media apps or gaming apps, and they are communicating with children right under our noses, coercing and blackmailing them,” stated Lori Meza, a public information officer with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is not an isolated incident. Sacramento County authorities recently located a 14-year-old girl who had been missing for nearly a year in Houston. Investigators revealed that she had met 28-year-old Tarik Jammer online, who now faces charges related to the sexual performance of a child. “(They are) extremely manipulative. They know how to prey on the weaknesses of these kids, exploit those needs and wants, and they manufacture this fantasy land they could be ‘escaping’ to,” said Sgt. Amar Gandhi of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office leads a specialized Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force that has received over 15,000 tips in 2025 alone. “We’ve had (cases) here locally where children get sextorted to the point where they commit suicide,” lamented Lt. Juan Hidalgo, the task force commander.
Concerns regarding Roblox and Discord are mounting, with critics arguing that the platforms have not done enough to prevent predators from contacting young users. Matthew Bergman, founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, emphasized that pedophiles frequently use messaging tools on Roblox to groom children. “What we have seen happen is pedophiles use Roblox messaging to contact kids and over time groom them into providing salacious photos on other platforms. They fish in the Roblox waters and lure them in,” Bergman explained.
In response to the growing concerns, both Roblox and Discord have implemented measures to enhance safety. Roblox has introduced stricter messaging restrictions for users under 13 and has increased parental controls. However, for some families, these changes have come too late. One Northern California family is suing both companies after their 14-year-old daughter was allegedly coerced into sharing graphic images. The man involved reportedly has more than 20 minor victims.
Anne Marie Murphy, a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, stated that both Roblox and Discord are pushing for the case to be handled in private arbitration. “Discord and Roblox have asked the court to not hear the case and instead send the case to a secret arbitration forum where the public will not get to know or watch what happens in the litigation,” Murphy said. “These cases need to be discussed as you’re doing. They need to see the light of day.”
Law enforcement officials suggest that having a dedicated point of contact within gaming and communication apps would significantly improve their ability to investigate these crimes. Roblox released a statement saying, “These allegations are deeply troubling, and we are actively investigating. We have a zero-tolerance policy against child endangerment and a range of safety features to guard against predatory behavior. We also partner with law enforcement around the world and are working tirelessly to enhance our safety systems, processes, and policies.”
Similarly, Discord stated, “Discord has a zero-tolerance policy against abuse and exploitation. We take decisive actions when we detect violations of our policies, including removing content, banning users, shutting down servers, and engaging with law enforcement. As soon as we became aware of this matter, we provided information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). We will continue supporting law enforcement in its investigation.”
As the investigation unfolds, deputies are urging parents to closely monitor their children's electronic usage and to understand who they are communicating with online. “Many apps and games have messaging capabilities and present the same, if not more, risk as social media platforms,” deputies warned. They also recommended media monitoring apps as useful tools for parents unfamiliar with how to monitor their children’s electronic activities.
Matthew Macatuno Naval's case serves as a stark reminder of the risks children face in the digital age. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office urges parents to take proactive measures, such as communicating openly with their children about online interactions and establishing rules for electronic device usage. “Parents, monitor all electronic usage and know who your children are communicating with,” they advised. “The relationships are being built very quickly,” added Lt. Hidalgo, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement in their children's digital lives.
This alarming trend raises critical questions about the effectiveness of current safety measures on platforms like Roblox and Discord. As more children engage with these applications, the need for robust protective measures and vigilant parental oversight has never been more urgent. The ongoing dialogue around child safety online must continue to evolve as technology advances, ensuring that children can enjoy these platforms without falling victim to predators.
