Malaysia considers banning Roblox while company promises to strengthen security

MALAYSIA: Popular online gaming platform Roblox has pledged to strengthen its security measures and work with the Malaysian government as the government considers banning the game, amid growing concerns about the platform’s potential negative effects on young players.

Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, said on Facebook that she met with representatives from Roblox, who assured her that the company would enhance security through the use of artificial intelligence and human monitoring.

The company also expressed willingness to cooperate with the Malaysian government, particularly in sharing data and complying with local regulations.

Noting that Roblox currently has around 100 million active users worldwide, including more than one million in Malaysia, Ms Yeoh said, “Given the influence of online games, the responsibility to protect young users cannot be ignored.”

The discussions come in the wake of a disturbing incident, in which a six-year-old boy in Batu Pahat, Johor, was slashed on the neck by his nine-year-old brother. Preliminary police investigations suggest the older child attacked his younger sibling after losing all his game points while playing Roblox and that the older boy heard voices telling him to harm his brother.

The case has sparked renewed debate over the safety of online gaming platforms and their impact on children’s mental health and behaviour.

The Malaysian government is reportedly considering a potential ban on Roblox amid these concerns. The final decision will depend on the new regulations Australia plans to implement for Roblox next month, which Malaysian authorities are closely monitoring as a possible model for their own policies.