The Malaysian government is weighing the possibility of banning the popular online gaming platform Roblox following growing concerns over its potential influence on children. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said discussions are still ongoing and that any decision will take into account Australia’s upcoming regulations on Roblox, which are expected to take effect in December.
“We are closely monitoring how Australia implements these regulations. They are still in the planning stage, and nothing has been enforced yet,” Nancy told reporters after attending the Temporary Relief Centre Training and Simulation Programme yesterday. She added that Malaysia will assess whether a similar approach would be suitable for the country’s local context and cultural norms.
Her remarks followed a recent case in Batu Pahat, where a nine-year-old boy allegedly attacked his six-year-old brother, leaving him critically injured. Police said the incident may have stemmed from an argument related to Roblox gameplay, though investigations are still underway.
Meanwhile, Australia is reportedly preparing to impose restrictions on Roblox for users aged 16 and under, amid concerns over child safety and exposure to harmful content. Nancy said Malaysia will carefully study the effectiveness of these measures before deciding on the next course of action.
Also mentioned for potential banning by the minister is the dating app OMI. The platform recently attracted public attention after a 12-year-old girl allegedly met a man through the app who later mistreated her.
On a related note, the Communications Ministry is also exploring the idea of requiring licences for popular online games in Malaysia, as part of a broader effort to regulate the gaming industry and enhance user safety, particularly for minors. Its minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, mentioned that around 10 games are in consideration, including Roblox.
(Source: New Straits Times)
