3 days ago
Roblox reportedly banned in Qatar over child safety concerns
DOHA: Roblox, the popular online gaming and game creation platform, is reportedly no longer accessible in Qatar following a wave of public concern over child safety.
The move comes after a recent social media campaign calling for the app to be banned due to its potential risks to children and teenagers.
While Roblox remains downloadable from the Android and Apple app stores, users in Qatar are unable to use the platform. Upon launching the app, a message reading 'No Network. Please try when connected to internet' appears, preventing access beyond the home page. Similarly, the web version displays an error message: 'This site can't be reached.'
Local news outlets, including
Al Watan
, report that the ban was imposed to protect children from what authorities view as moral and safety threats within the game. The platform allows users to create avatars, build games, and interact with others in shared digital environments—features that critics argue could expose young users to harmful content and behaviour.
According to
Al Jasra
, concerns were heightened after incidents of virtual assaults and violations of religious and cultural values were reportedly documented within the game.
In a statement cited by
Al Sharq
, technology and AI researcher Bahaa Al Ahmad emphasized that platforms like Roblox have evolved beyond simple gaming. 'These are now open digital spaces where children engage in real-life-like interactions,' he said, adding that such environments can influence children's psychological and behavioural development.
As of now, Roblox has not issued an official response to the reported ban in Qatar.
