Toronto Filmmaker Explores the Risks of Roblox and the Metaverse in Compelling New Documentary

Video games can significantly enhance people’s lives in various ways. They provide entertainment, foster connections with friends, stimulate cognitive functions, and even promote physical activity. Countless studies have highlighted these gaming benefits. However, a more troubling aspect of this medium often goes unnoticed.

Addressing this issue is Dangerous Games: Roblox and the Metaverse Exposed, a new Canadian documentary helmed by Toronto-based filmmaker Ann Shin (My Enemy, My Brother), in collaboration with TVO Docs and Fathom Film Group.

The film delves into the idea of a “metaverse”—virtual environments where users interact through 3D avatars—specifically through the lens of Roblox, a widely popular online game for kids that allows players to create their own in-game experiences.

According to its developer, Roblox Corporation, approximately 85 million people engage with the game daily, with around 40 percent of those players being under 13 years old.

Sadly, this has attracted malicious individuals who exploit the platform to target children. In some instances, this has resulted in experiences that recreate notorious American mass shootings, including Columbine, Uvalde, and Parkland, as well as attacks perpetrated by white supremacists, as revealed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

At times, the propagation of such hateful rhetoric can even motivate individuals to commit violent hate crimes in reality. In other situations, sexual predators target children on Roblox for grooming.

This alarming behavior initially caught the attention of Shin’s producer, Erica Leendertse.

“The idea stemmed from my producer’s concern because she has children who play Roblox. After learning about the presence of child predators and other illicit activities on the platform, she approached me,” says Shin. “I also have a niece and nephew who are Roblox players, so we quickly became invested in uncovering the situation on this platform.”

Disturbingly, it did not take long for them to encounter inappropriate content on Roblox. “Within minutes, we found ourselves in a sexual den with S&M,” recalls Shin. “We wondered, ‘Why are five-year-olds accessing a game where they can end up in a sex den?’ It’s utter chaos. This is a lawless environment, and regulations are desperately needed.”

Raising awareness about these pressing issues became the film’s primary objective, and fortunately, Shin and her team found strong support.

Introducing Alex Farrugia, a Toronto teenager who has made significant contributions to the Roblox community. Since age 13, she has produced various Roblox-related content on her TanookiAlex YouTube channel. Recently, she has shifted her focus towards community management, music, and advocacy within the Roblox community.