The dangers of Roblox and its blocking: Warnings for parents
Global and local warnings are mounting regarding the popular gaming platform Roblox, which is no longer just a form of entertainment but has become, in the view of many experts and parents, a "hidden world" that threatens children's psychological and behavioral well-being. This reality has prompted a wave of strict regulatory measures in several countries, including Saudi Arabia, to protect young people from the dangers of the open digital space.
General context: From entertainment to threat
The core concept of Roblox relies on user-generated content, making it a fertile ground for creativity, but simultaneously opening the door to insufficiently regulated content. The game's popularity skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it the primary platform for social interaction among children. However, this openness has become a curse, as psychological and behavioral consultant Dr. Abdo Al-Asmari pointed out that the game's use has become "worrying," especially when children exceed their usual screen time, transforming entertainment into a form of addiction.
Al-Asmari stressed that the negative effects of the game appear to be more serious compared to other games, because it directs multiple suggestions in an attractive marketing format that teaches children and teenagers violence, in addition to spreading inappropriate content in some stages of the game, which negatively affects their mental stability and their adaptation to society.
Risks of fraud and social isolation
The risks are not limited to the psychological aspect; they extend to security and social threats. Experts have warned against children becoming entangled in the complexities of communicating with strangers in unknown circles, which could lead to financial fraud or grooming. This, in turn, affects a child's behavior, potentially causing internal conflict and isolation from their family, leading them to spend long hours in front of screens, resulting in health problems such as headaches, paleness, and excessive irritability.
Public discontent and parental concerns
In a public opinion poll, a number of citizens expressed their deep concern. Salem Al-Dalbahi called for the immediate removal of the game from children's devices, describing it as a "hidden gateway" to harassment and deviant ideas. Dr. Ali bin Badr Al-Otaibi pointed out that the game impairs mental and physical development and instills negative values, while Abdulaziz described it as a "den of harassers." Tech expert Abdullah Al-Saba' stressed the necessity of implementing strict parental controls and disabling the game's chat features to protect children.
International moves and decisive Saudi measures
Internationally, governments did not stand idly by in the face of these risks. China was among the first countries to block the game, followed by Turkey, Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait, and Egypt. The reasons for the blocking are mostly related to concerns about the exploitation of children or their exposure to inappropriate content.
Locally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken decisive proactive steps; the General Authority for Media Regulation has entered into an agreement with the company “Roblox” to block more than 300,000 sub-games within the platform that fall under the category of “social gathering games”, in order to protect children and society from potential negatives, and to ensure a safe digital environment.
The impact of drama and community awareness
The echo of this crisis reached television drama, as the Egyptian series “A Game That Turned Really Upside Down” by the artist Ahmed Zaher highlighted the catastrophic dangers of electronic games and their impact on the disintegration of the family, which contributed to raising the level of awareness among the Arab public of the need for continuous monitoring of children’s digital activity.
