Egypt Officially Blocks Roblox Platform Over Child Safety Concerns
Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation has made the official decision to block Roblox, citing concerns over content that officials say promotes harmful behavior among children and adolescents. The ban represents a significant regulatory move in the Middle East and marks growing international scrutiny of the popular gaming platform.
Official Announcement and Regulatory Rationale
Essam al-Amir, deputy chairman of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, announced the decision during a Senate session focused on the dangers posed by digital applications to children. The council recommended blocking websites that promote “deviant behavior or facilitate its spread,” as well as platforms that broadcast electronic games encouraging violence.
The council is coordinating with Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) to implement the necessary technical measures to enforce the ban. The implementation process involves cooperation between multiple government agencies to ensure comprehensive blocking across the country.
Specific Safety Concerns Cited
Egyptian lawmakers highlighted several risks associated with the platform, including:
- Exposure to inappropriate and unsuitable content
- Direct communication between children and strangers through in-game chat features
- Psychological and behavioral risks to young users
- Potential moral and educational concerns for minors
Regional Trend in Platform Restrictions
Egypt’s action is not an isolated case. Several countries across the region have taken similar steps, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman imposing restrictions on Roblox in August and September 2025 after warnings about potential dangers to children.
Additionally, Iraq and Algeria have implemented nationwide bans citing risks related to inappropriate content and online harassment, while access is blocked in China under broader internet censorship regulations. Turkey has also temporarily restricted the platform pending stricter compliance with local content rules.
Global Legal Challenges
The regulatory action in Egypt comes as Roblox faces increased international scrutiny, including a lawsuit filed by Louisiana in August 2025 accusing the company of facilitating child exploitation. Roblox has dismissed such allegations as false.
Impact on the Gaming Community
The platform, which is free to access and has become extremely popular among children and teenagers worldwide, maintains approximately 80 million daily active users globally, with 40 percent of users over 17 years old and a core user base aged 9-15 years old. The Egyptian ban represents a significant market impact for the platform in a region where it had achieved substantial penetration.
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