The US Senate has opened an investigation into Roblox over concerns about how the platform protects children from abuse and exploitation.

Senators Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Cyberterrorism sent a letter to Roblox CEO David Baszucki requesting information about the company's approach to child safety.

The investigation will examine how Roblox handles reports involving sexual and physical abuse, as well as the financial exploitation of minors. The senators also questioned whether the company has placed enough emphasis on protecting young users compared with growing its revenue.

Roblox is one of the world's largest gaming and user-generated content platforms, with more than 100 million daily active users according to the company's reported figures. Its library includes more than 44 million user-created experiences, ranging from smaller projects to major hits that attract millions of players.

The platform's enormous and largely young audience has made safety a growing concern for lawmakers and regulators.

Roblox has already responded to the Senate investigation. Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman said the company was built around safety and that Roblox is prepared to provide information about the measures it has introduced to protect younger players.

The company has been given until August 31 to respond to the Senate's requests. Further action could follow depending on the company's response and the findings of the investigation.The Senate inquiry is also not the first legal challenge Roblox has faced over child safety.

Several US states and local governments have taken legal action against Roblox in recent years. Lawsuits and investigations have involved allegations concerning children's safety and their interactions with other users on the platform.

The growing scrutiny has also extended beyond the United States. Some countries have restricted or banned Roblox over concerns surrounding children's interactions with strangers and the potential for exploitation.

Roblox has continued to introduce changes aimed at improving safety as governments around the world increase pressure on online platforms to provide stronger protections for younger users.

The Senate investigation now adds another major challenge for the company. With Roblox serving millions of children and teenagers every day, lawmakers are expected to take a closer look at whether its existing safety systems are sufficient.