The Malaysian government is considering imposing a ban on Roblox amid growing safety concerns over the online game.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said discussions are ongoing and that any final decision will consider Australia’s upcoming Roblox regulations, expected to take effect next month.
“We are closely monitoring how Australia implements these regulations. They are still in the planning stage, and nothing has been enforced yet,” she told Malay Mail.
“Malaysia will evaluate whether a similar approach aligns with our local context and cultural norms,” she added.
NGOs backs government’s proposal
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye welcomed the federal government’s plan, saying the move reflects Malaysia’s commitment to protecting children from harm.
“While we recognise the creative and social potential of platforms like Roblox, the safety and mental well-being of our children must remain our priority,” he told the New Straits Times.
He also said the proposed ban reflects the increasing awareness of the dangers posed by unregulated digital environments and the immediate need for stricter regulations.
However, he stressed that enforcing such a ban could be challenging, urging the government to integrate such a policy with digital literacy education, active parental involvement and close co-operation with technology companies.
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Roblox vows to enhance digital safety
Meanwhile, Roblox has pledged to strengthen its digital safety measures through artificial intelligence and improved human monitoring.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the company expressed willingness to work with the government on data sharing and regulatory compliance following a meeting.
“We want a digital world that is not only fun, but also builds the right character and values for the next generation,” she wrote in a Facebook post, sharing a photo with Roblox representatives.
Government plans to tighten online game restrictions
The proposed Roblox ban follows Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil’s announcement that the government is exploring licensing and identity verification measures for online games and applications.
“We are assessing the best approach, including identity verification to protect young users,” he said during a Post-Cabinet press conference.
Fahmi added that the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are evaluating the current digital ecosystem to ensure that any future regulation is comprehensive.
But despite these moves, Fahmi emphasised that parents must do their part by monitoring their children’s online activities and limit their screentime to ensure safety.
Stabbing incident fuels concerns
Concerns over Roblox’s safety grew after a nine-year-old boy in Batu Pahat allegedly attacked his six-year-old brother following an argument related to the online game on October 27.
Johor police chief Ab Rahaman Arsad said preliminary findings indicate the boy became violent after losing points during the game.
He also said that the older brother, who had been playing Roblox excessively, claimed to be experiencing hallucinations before attacking his younger brother.
“During questioning, the boy claimed he began experiencing hallucinations that night, as if instructed to harm his family members,” he said, underscoring the need for greater oversight of online platforms for children.
If Malaysia proceeds with the Roblox ban, it will join China, Turkey, Oman, Qatar, Jordan and Iraq, which have imposed similar restrictions over concerns about child safety and harmful content.
Roblox is an online platform and game creation system that allows users to play and create games, attracting over 150 million daily active users across 180 countries.
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