Egypt Blocks Roblox Amid Child Safety Concerns
In a formal announcement aimed at safeguarding children and adolescents, Essam El-Amir, the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Egypt, declared the ban on the popular game and gaming platform "Roblox" within the country. This decision was made in coordination with the National Telecommunications Authority to implement the ban.
The announcement was made during a Senate plenary session chaired by advisor Essam Farid, where various inquiries and discussions regarding the dangers of the internet, social media, and electronic games for children were addressed.
* Reasons for the Roblox Ban
The decision was made in light of growing concerns about child safety, following the identification of several risks associated with the platform, including:
• Exposure of children to inappropriate content for their age
• Possibility of direct communication with strangers
• Negative psychological and behavioral effects on young users
• Economic risks due to in-game purchasing systems
* Parliamentary Proposal Prior to the Ban
Dr. Walaa Harmas Radwan, a member of the Senate, had submitted an official proposal a few days prior to regulate the platform "Roblox," with the aim of:
_ Protecting moral and educational values for children and adolescents
_ Reducing psychological and behavioral risks
_ Regulating the activities of electronic gaming platforms in general
_ Engaging in comprehensive discussions and international warnings
The Education Committee and the Committee for Scientific Research, Communication, and Information Technology of the Senate discussed the proposal in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, addressing the following points:
• The operational mechanisms of the "Roblox" platform
• The associated risks and negative impacts
• The behavioral and economic dimensions of the platform
• Litigations and legal disputes, along with international warnings regarding child safety
• Various international experiences in regulating or banning the platform
This decision from Egypt comes amid a global debate regarding "Roblox," which has faced scrutiny and lawsuits in several countries due to concerns about the protection and digital safety of minors.
