Roblox Faces Global Bans and Legal Heat Over Child Safety Concerns

Roblox, one of the world’s most popular gaming platforms, is under intense scrutiny as multiple countries impose bans citing child safety risks and exposure to harmful content. In August 2024, Turkey took the lead in blocking the platform over reports of grooming and exploitation attempts involving underage users. 

A year later, in August 2025, Kuwait and Qatar followed suit, officially banning Roblox due to “concerns over children’s safety and exposure to violent and inappropriate content,” according to Kuwait’s Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority.

The move in Kuwait came after growing complaints from parents and agencies warning that Roblox “exposes children to harmful content,” including violence and aggressive behavior. The country’s Ministry of Information requested the Ministry of Communications to take action, calling the platform a threat to moral values and social norms.

Oman and China have also blocked access, while Indonesia has warned Roblox to strengthen its child protection measures or risk facing a ban. These actions stem from long-standing criticism that Roblox “prioritizes user growth, revenue and profits over child safety,” as Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill put it in a recent lawsuit against the company.

The legal battle in the U.S. has further escalated the controversy. Louisiana filed a 42 pages lawsuit accusing Roblox of failing to implement robust security protocols, alleging the platform has become a haven for predators. The suit cites shocking examples of explicit content under game titles like “Escape to Epstein Island,” “Diddy Party,” and “Public Bathroom Simulator Vibe.” It also claims a man arrested for possessing child sexual abuse material was using Roblox and used voice altering technology to pose as a young female to lure minors.

“Roblox is overrun with harmful content and child predators,” Murrill said, adding that the platform has no effective age verification system, making it easy for predators to pose as children. 

According to Roblox’s own report, 40% of its 82 million active users are under the age of 12, raising alarms over the risks faced by this young audience.

The backlash is not just regulatory; it’s also financial. Roblox Corp.’s stock plunged by as much as 10.6% after news of the Louisiana lawsuit broke, erasing much of its recent gains.

U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna has joined the chorus of critics, launching an online petition demanding Roblox strengthen its child protection measures. “Roblox is simply not doing enough to protect our kids,” he said in a TikTok video.

Despite rumors circulating on social media that Roblox would shut down permanently on September 1, 2025, the company has denied the claims, calling them recurring hoaxes. 

Instead, Roblox showcased new safety tools and updates at Gamescom 2025, including AI driven detection systems for harmful language, stricter content policies banning any material implying sexual activity, age estimation technology for users over 13, and enhanced parental controls.

However, these measures have not silenced critics or halted the bans. Governments continue to pressure Roblox to tighten its moderation systems, and legal challenges are piling up. While the company insists it is “actively improving child safety,” the ongoing bans in Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and China signal that regulators are not convinced.

The controversy highlights a growing challenge for digital platforms: balancing rapid growth and user engagement with the fundamental responsibility of keeping children safe in virtual spaces. For Roblox, that balance may determine its future.