Noah Romsdal Hallundbæk Sørensen
Russia has abruptly shut down one of the country’s largest online platforms for children, claiming it spread harmful “LGBT propaganda.”
A sweeping shutdown of Roblox has taken effect across Russia, following a decision by state regulators who claim the platform exposes minors to harmful material.
The move abruptly cuts off millions of local players from one of the world’s most popular online gaming hubs.
Officials have framed the restriction as a matter of child protection, though the action also fits into a broader tightening of rules around LGBT-related content inside the country.
Regulatory crackdown
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal communications watchdog, confirmed the ban late Tuesday, according to Reuters.
The agency said access to the platform had been halted because it was “rife with inappropriate content that can negatively impact the spiritual and moral development of children.”
Russia has expanded its classification of so-called “LGBT propaganda” for several years, and Roblox is the latest digital service to be swept into that category.
The watchdog did not specify which in-game experiences triggered the ruling.
Global giant affected
Roblox, which hosts countless user-generated games and has more than 151 million daily active players worldwide, features popular titles such as Grow a Garden and Steal a Brainrot.
Many of these attract larger audiences than leading releases on Steam, according to industry tracking cited by Reuters.
The country’s stance aligns with a 2013 law that designates LGBTQ-themed material as inconsistent with “traditional family values.” That legislation has since been used to penalise books, films, public events and online platforms.
Company responds
In a statement given to Reuters, a Roblox spokesperson said the company “respect[s] the local laws and regulations in the countries where we operate and believe Roblox provides a positive space for learning, creation and meaningful connection for everyone.”
The spokesperson added that the platform maintains “a robust set of proactive and preventative safety measures designed to catch and prevent harmful content.”
Russia joins Iraq and Turkey, where authorities have also restricted Roblox over concerns about child protection.
The platform’s young user base has drawn growing scrutiny, especially following reports of adults attempting to contact or groom minors through in-game features.
Safety measures escalate
Over the past year, Roblox has introduced several new safeguards, including age-verification tools and enhanced content moderation.
Last month, the company said facial age checks will soon be required for all chat interactions in an effort to curb communication between adults and minors.
The announcement followed a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who accused the company of “deceiving parents” and “flagrantly ignoring” child safety obligations.
Sources: Reuters, IGN Nordic
