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Russia bans Roblox over safety concerns
In a significant move, Russia’s federal media regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced the prohibition of the popular gaming platform Roblox. This decision follows ongoing concerns from Russian officials about the safety of children interacting within the game.
The action comes after a year of complaints regarding the platform’s content. Authorities argue that such content could harm the spiritual and moral development of minors.
Justification for the ban
Roskomnadzor has outlined various reasons for its decision to block Roblox. The agency asserts that the platform promotes the spread of materials that endorse extremism and terrorism, as well as content associated with LGBT themes. The regulator’s statement highlighted concerns that children using the game may face sexual harassment, be pressured into sharing personal images, and be driven toward violent and inappropriate behaviors.
Statistics and concerns
Reports indicate that Roblox ranked among the most downloaded mobile applications in Russia, with approximately 100 million daily users. Notably, nearly 40% of these users are under the age of 13, according to the Roblox Corporation. This significant demographic has raised concerns among law enforcement, which has identified a connection between the game and various criminal activities.
Escalating government actions
In 2025, Roskomnadzor reported a rise in scams and what it referred to as “LGBT propaganda” on Roblox. Earlier in the year, the Internal Affairs Ministry labeled the platform as the most crime-ridden online space in Russia. Following numerous reports and complaints about the game’s content, authorities increased their scrutiny. By July, Roskomnadzor had mandated that Roblox remove certain LGBT-related materials, indicating a clear effort to regulate the platform’s content.
Political pressure
In early November, an important article from The Guardian highlighted the risks minors encounter on Roblox, prompting action from Russian lawmakers. State Duma deputies, including Nina Ostanina and Yana Lantratova, expressed their concerns, reflecting worries from conservative groups. This mounting pressure led Roskomnadzor to declare that Roblox’s internal moderation system fails to ensure user safety.
Global context of the ban
The recent ban on Roblox follows a warning from Roskomnadzor regarding the platform’s ongoing failure to remove prohibited content since 2019. This blockage is not unique to Russia; Roblox has faced similar restrictions in countries such as Turkey, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, primarily due to concerns over child safety. Despite facing international scrutiny, the Roblox Corporation continues to report strong user engagement, with 111.8 million daily active users and nearly $1.1 billion in revenue as of July 2025.
This situation reflects a larger trend worldwide, as governments pay closer attention to how digital platforms affect youth safety. As regulations evolve, it is uncertain how companies like Roblox will navigate these challenges while ensuring the safety of their young users.