Algeria has officially banned Roblox, citing child safety concerns

Algeria has officially blocked access to Roblox, one of the world’s most popular gaming and social platforms, leaving millions of players in the country unable to log into their accounts.

According to reports from local media outlets (spotted by RTC), the government’s decision came after concerns about the platform’s growing popularity among children under the age of ten, combined with limited monitoring tools to ensure their safety.

Complaints linked to fraud and child exploitation in other countries also played a role, with authorities stressing that the move was aimed at strengthening child protection in the virtual space.

Algerian officials pointed out that the open nature of Roblox increases the risk of harassment, privacy breaches, and other unsafe situations for younger players.

Algeria is not alone in its stance. Several other Arab nations have previously taken action against Roblox, each citing different but connected concerns.

• Qatar: Banned Roblox in August 2025 after a tragic incident where a child died during a livestream linked to instructions from other players. The case caused public outrage and forced regulators to act swiftly.

• Kuwait: Imposed a ban back in August 2025, arguing that the game “contradicts moral values and social customs.

• Oman: Imposed a ban back in 2021 due to risks related to explicit content and online scams.

• Jordan: Blocked the platform in 2021 for violent themes and offensive language, though it later lifted restrictions after changes were introduced.

• UAE: Temporarily banned Roblox between 2018 and 2023, citing exposure to inappropriate material, before allowing it again when improvements were made.

The Bigger Picture

The Roblox ban in Algeria is just one part of a larger global discussion about child safety on the platform.

Recently, Roblox has faced one of its most challenging periods, including lawsuits, public petitions, high-profile bans, and growing dissatisfaction among its creator community, all centered around the same issue.

In the U.S., the Louisiana Attorney General accused Roblox of fostering an environment where child predators thrive. In Iowa, a family claims their 13-year-old was groomed and kidnapped through the platform. A separate lawsuit in California alleges a 10-year-old was sexually abused by someone they met on Roblox.

The situation grew more controversial when Roblox banned YouTuber “Schlep,” a self-proclaimed “predator hunter” who claims to have facilitated six arrests of alleged child predators. Roblox issued a cease-and-desist letter, citing “vigilantism” and breaches of community standards, with Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman arguing that such actions undermine official safety processes. However, Schlep’s supporters see the ban as an attempt to silence criticism of Roblox’s moderation systems. The issue has drawn attention from journalist Chris Hansen and some lawmakers, adding to the pressure on Roblox.

Meanwhile, a Change.org petition titled “Remove David Baszucki,” targeting Roblox’s CEO, has gained significant traction. It surpassed 100,000 signatures within days and now exceeds 279,000. The petition accuses Roblox of failing to protect children from exploitation and allowing predators to remain active on the platform.

With governments now stepping in and issuing bans, the pressure on Roblox continues to grow.