Egypt Blocks Roblox Amid Child Safety Concerns
In an official effort to protect children and adolescents, Essam El Amir, the Vice President of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Egypt, announced the blocking of the popular gaming platform "Roblox". This action was coordinated with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to implement the decision effectively.
The announcement was made during a plenary session of the Senate, led by Counselor Essam Farid, where various inquiries regarding the dangers of the Internet, social media, and electronic games on children were discussed.
* Reasons for Blocking Roblox
The decision was prompted by escalating concerns over child safety, particularly regarding several risks associated with the platform, including:
• Exposure of children to age-inappropriate content
• Possibility of direct communication with strangers
• Negative psychological and behavioral effects on young users
• Economic risks stemming from in-game purchasing systems
* Parliamentary Proposal Prior to the Decision
Dr. Walaa Harmas Radwan, a Senate member, recently submitted an official proposal to regulate the "Roblox" platform, aiming to:
_ Protect the moral and educational values of children and youth
_ Limit psychological and behavioral risks
_ Regulate the operation of electronic gaming platforms in general
_ Engage in thorough discussions and heed international warnings
The Senate's Education, Scientific Research, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Committee reviewed the proposal, with representatives from the Ministry of Telecommunications 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 actions and disputes, as well as international warnings regarding child safety
• Various international experiences in regulating or banning the platform
This Egyptian decision comes amid a growing global debate surrounding "Roblox", which has recently faced investigations and legal actions in several countries due to concerns over the protection and safety of minors online.
