Russia Bans Roblox Over Child Safety Concerns and Alleged ‘LGBT Propaganda’

Russian authorities have blocked access to Roblox, the popular online gaming platform, citing concerns over extremist materials and what officials described as “LGBT propaganda,” state media reported Wednesday.

The platform, which enables users to create and share their own games, was Russia’s most downloaded mobile game in 2023, making the ban significant for millions of Russian gamers, particularly younger users.

Russia’s national media regulator, Roskomnadzor, justified the decision by claiming the platform contains “inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.” In a strongly worded statement, the regulator accused the platform of exposing children to sexual harassment and coercing them “into committing depraved acts and violence.”

“Children in the game are subjected to sexual harassment, intimate photos are tricked out of them,” the statement continued, highlighting what the Russian authorities described as serious safeguarding concerns.

Roblox Corporation, headquartered in California, has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the ban. The company typically maintains that it employs both human reviewers and artificial intelligence systems to moderate content and remove what it terms “exploitative content.”

Internet monitoring sites confirmed that Russian users began experiencing access problems to the platform earlier on Wednesday, indicating the ban was already being implemented across the country.

The move affects a significant user base, as Roblox boasts approximately 100 million daily users worldwide. According to company data, children under 13 represent about 40% of the platform’s global user base in 2024.

This is not the first time Roblox has faced regulatory challenges internationally. The platform has previously been banned in several countries including Qatar, Iraq, and Turkey, primarily over child safety concerns. In the United States, the states of Texas and Louisiana have launched legal action against the app on similar grounds.

Digital rights advocates view the Roblox ban as part of a wider pattern of internet control in Russia. The country has increasingly targeted foreign-owned digital platforms and services in recent years, imposing restrictions that critics say are designed to limit the free flow of information and tighten government control over online spaces.

Just last week, Roskomnadzor announced it was considering banning WhatsApp, which is the second most popular messaging platform in Russia, alleging it had failed to prevent “crime.” The potential restriction on WhatsApp would represent another significant limitation on foreign digital services available to Russian users.

The gaming industry in Russia has faced growing regulatory scrutiny since 2022, with authorities paying closer attention to content that conflicts with the government’s social and political positions. The Roblox ban follows a trend of increased digital isolation as Russia has restricted numerous Western platforms and services in recent years.

For Russian gamers, particularly the younger demographic that makes up Roblox’s core audience, the ban removes access to a platform that not only provides entertainment but also offers creative outlets and social connection. The long-term impact on Russia’s digital ecosystem and gaming community remains to be seen, as users may seek alternative platforms or attempt to bypass restrictions through VPNs and other circumvention tools.