The popular gaming platform Roblox is once again in the spotlight, not because of its immense popularity among children and teenagers, but because of growing concerns about its negative impact and content, which experts describe as a "hidden world that threatens children." With increasing parental discontent worldwide, governments are taking measures ranging from strict censorship to outright bans, raising pressing questions about the responsibility of digital platforms and the role of families in protecting their children.
Historical background: From a creative platform to a global phenomenon
Launched in 2006, Roblox is more than just a single game; it's a massive platform that allows users to create and share their own games and play in virtual worlds designed by others. The platform has experienced explosive growth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a social space for millions of children isolated at home. By 2024, it boasted over 70 million daily active users, the majority of whom were under 16. This widespread adoption has made it a powerful tool for creativity and connection, but it has also opened the door to significant risks due to the open, user-generated nature of its content.
Expert warnings: Addiction and psychological and behavioral risks
Psychological and behavioral consultant Dr. Abdo Al-Asmari explains that using the game "Roblox" becomes concerning when a child's use exceeds their usual leisure time, leading to addiction and excessive attachment. This addiction directly impacts their social and academic life, resulting in isolation from family, declining academic performance, and health problems such as insomnia, headaches, paleness, and excessive irritability.
Al-Asmari adds that the danger of Roblox lies in its ability to direct multiple suggestions that come in the form of attraction and marketing, to teach children and teenagers violence, and to spread inappropriate and offensive content in some chapters and stages of the game, which makes its negative impact greater compared to other games.
Imminent danger: Communicating with strangers and fraud
One of the most significant risks highlighted by experts is the open communication feature with other players worldwide. This feature can expose children and teenagers to strangers, opening the door to exploitation, cyberbullying, and fraud. This negatively impacts a child's psychological well-being and social adjustment, leading to internal conflict and an increased attachment to the game at the expense of their social life.
Regional and international impact: blocking decisions and censorship measures
These concerns are no longer local; they have become a global issue. Several countries have taken strict measures against the platform, with countries such as the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and China blocking the game entirely or partially to protect children from its harmful content and unsupervised interactions. The reason for the blocking in most of these countries stems from concerns that young users may be exposed to inappropriate content or come into contact with unknown parties who could exploit them.
In Saudi Arabia, the General Authority for Media Regulation took a different approach, making an agreement with the company “Roblox” to block more than 300,000 games within the category of “social gathering games”, in order to protect children and society from the negatives of electronic games, while keeping the platform available in a regulated manner.
The role of family and society: monitoring and awareness
Experts emphasize the crucial role of families in educating their children about the dangers of the game. Parents should activate the parental control tools available within the app itself, which allow them to specify the types of games available and restrict chat functionality. They also stressed the importance of holding workshops and lectures in schools to raise students' awareness of the risks, sharing real-life stories of individuals who have faced problems as a result, to instill this understanding. Balancing entertainment and education, and fostering children's technological literacy, is the best way to navigate the challenges of the digital age.
