Egypt Blocks Roblox to Protect Children Amid Safety Concerns
In a significant step to enhance child protection, Issam El Amir, the Vice President of the Supreme Media Regulation Council in Egypt, announced the official blocking of the popular gaming platform "Roblox" within the country. This decision was made in coordination with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to ensure its enforcement.
The announcement was made during a Senate session led by Judge Issam Farid, where various inquiries and discussions regarding the dangers of the Internet, social media, and electronic games for children were addressed.
* Reasons for Blocking "Roblox"
The decision comes amid growing concerns about child safety, particularly regarding several identified risks associated with the platform, including:
• Exposure to age-inappropriate content
• Facilitation of direct communication with strangers
• Negative psychological and behavioral effects on young users
• Economic risks stemming from in-game purchases
* Prior Parliamentary Proposal
Days before the decision, Dr. Walaa Harmas Radwan, a Senate member, had submitted an official proposal to regulate the situation surrounding "Roblox," with aims to:
_ Safeguard the ethical and educational values for children and youth
_ Mitigate psychological and behavioral risks
_ Regulate the operations of electronic gaming platforms in general
_ Engage in extensive discussions and heed international warnings
The Senate's Education, Scientific Research, Communications, and Information Technology Committee reviewed the proposal, with representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology present. They examined:
• The operational nature of the "Roblox" platform
• The associated risks and negative effects
• The behavioral and economic dimensions of the platform
• Legal demands and disputes related to child safety
• Various international experiences regarding regulation or prohibition of the platform
This decision by Egypt occurs amid a growing global debate concerning "Roblox," which has recently faced investigations and lawsuits in various countries over concerns regarding the digital protection and safety of minors.
