Qatar imposes a ban on Roblox, a well-liked online game, due to fears about the safety of minors
Qatar has taken the decision to block the popular game platform Roblox, primarily due to concerns over child safety. The move was amplified by a strong social media campaign within the country, highlighting risks such as harmful interactions, exposure to inappropriate content, and potential exploitation of minors on the platform.
Reports also mentioned incidents of "virtual assaults" within the game contributing to the decision. Despite the ban, Roblox remains downloadable in Qatar, but users encounter network errors preventing them from playing.
This move follows similar actions by other countries like China, Turkey, and Oman, which have also barred access to Roblox, citing comparable concerns over safeguarding children from moral and safety threats online. The Qatari authorities have yet to release an official statement, but local media and internet monitoring groups confirm access restrictions have been enforced.
The core concerns over child safety include inappropriate content exposure due to the platform's user-generated games and social features, unmonitored interactions increasing the risk of exploitation or contact with predators, specific reports of children being lured or harmed after meeting strangers via the game, and violations of cultural values and moral standards as perceived locally.
These issues drove public pressure for action to protect minors from perceived online harms within Roblox's expansive virtual environment. However, no official statement has been made by the Roblox Corporation regarding the alleged "access anomalies" in Qatar. Similarly, the Qatari government has not issued an official statement confirming the ban on Roblox.
[1] The Peninsula Qatar: Qatar blocks Roblox game platform over child safety concerns. (2025, August 13). Retrieved from https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/08/2025/Qatar-blocks-Roblox-game-platform-over-child-safety-concerns [2] Ooni: Access anomalies affecting Roblox in Qatar reported. (2025, August 13). Retrieved from https://ooni.org/post/access-anomalies-affecting-roblox-in-qatar-reported/ [3] TechRadar: Qatar blocks Roblox, citing child safety concerns. (2025, August 13). Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/news/qatar-blocks-roblox-citing-child-safety-concerns [4] BBC News: Qatar blocks Roblox over child safety concerns. (2025, August 13). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58284119 [5] The Verge: Qatar blocks Roblox, citing child safety concerns. (2025, August 13). Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/8/13/22468574/qatar-blocks-roblox-child-safety-concerns-internet-access-ban
