Roblox Controversy: Threatened with Government Ban - Psychologist's Perspective

Kapanlagi.com - The online world is abuzz with the issue of Roblox being banned by the government in Indonesia. This popular gaming platform is under serious scrutiny, raising concerns among parents and gamers.

The government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kominfo) and the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education of Indonesia (Mendikdasmen), is currently closely monitoring Roblox. This follows various reports regarding content considered inappropriate for children.

Although there has been no final decision, the discourse surrounding the ban is based on deep concerns. Particularly regarding child safety and the potential negative impacts of interactions within the game.

Roblox is an online gaming platform that allows users to create, share, and play games made by themselves. Founded by David Baszucki and Erik Cassel in 2004 as "Dynablocks", it officially launched in 2006.

Their vision is to create a boundless virtual space for creativity and interaction, using the Lua programming language in Roblox Studio. Its popularity skyrocketed thanks to YouTubers and streamers, reaching 85.3 million daily active users as of February 2025.

1. Why is the Issue of Roblox Banned by the Government Emerging in Indonesia?

Roblox has not been officially blocked in Indonesia, but it is under close surveillance by the government. The discussion of a ban arises due to allegations of content that is harmful to children.

This includes hate speech, acts of violence, and sexually suggestive content that Minister of Education and Culture Abdul Mu'ti fears could be imitated by children.

2. Main Concern: Violent Content and Child Safety

Minister of Education and Culture Abdul Mu'ti has openly stated that Roblox contains a lot of violence that could potentially be imitated by children. Children are not yet able to distinguish between the real world and simulations, which puts them at risk of imitating dangerous scenes.

Additionally, there are serious concerns about interactions with strangers and the potential for child exploitation on this platform.

3. Government Demands: Roblox Requested to Open an Office in Indonesia

The Indonesian government, through the Minister of Communication and Information Meutya Hafid, has requested Roblox to open a representative office in Indonesia. The goal is for Roblox to comply with national regulations, particularly regarding child protection.

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) also supports the blocking of Roblox if it is proven to neglect child protection in accordance with the ITE Law.

4. Other Countries That Have Blocked or Monitored Roblox

The issue of blocking Roblox is not only occurring in Indonesia; several other countries have taken similar steps. Qatar blocked Roblox in August 2025 due to concerns over child safety and exploitation.

China and Oman also blocked this game around 2022, while Turkey banned it in August 2024 citing child exploitation and poor moderation.

5. Psychologist's View: Between Creativity and Negative Risks

Psychologist Maharani Okty Ningsih sees Roblox as a "light escape" for adults from work stress. However, child psychologist Mira Amir agrees with the potential of this game to trigger juvenile delinquency.

Vera Bekti Rahayu adds that this game can stimulate creativity and positive digital interaction, but it also poses risks of poor self-control and unstable emotions.

Child psychologists even mention that games like Roblox have the potential to encourage children to commit criminal acts. This is especially related to the need to purchase paid items, which can drive stealing behavior.

This concern is one of the strong reasons for the government and KPAI to continue monitoring this platform.

6. The Role of Parents: Strict Supervision and Digital Education

Psychologists emphasize the importance of parental supervision, a balanced play schedule, and the introduction of offline activities. Open dialogue with children about the games they play is also crucial.

Digital education becomes key for children to play safely and for parents to minimize the negative impacts of platforms like Roblox.

Also read other Roblox news on Liputan6.com

(kpl/ums)