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Iraq has banned the popular online game Roblox over child safety concerns. The government said the platform allows children to directly communicate with other users. This can put kids at risk of being exploited or tricked online. Officials also said certain game content does not match the traditions and values of Iraq.
The Iraqi Communications Ministry said the decision came after a detailed study. They watched how children use the gaming platform and found many risks to safety, behavior, and social values, leading the government to block Roblox across Iraq.
Roblox has denied these claims. The company said keeping children safe is very important. A Roblox spokesperson said the government may not fully understand the platform today. Earlier this year, Roblox limited chat features for Arabic-speaking countries, including Iraq, to make online gaming safer for children.
Iraq is not the only country to ban Roblox. China shut down the international version of the platform and made a domestic version, while Turkey banned Roblox in August 2024 due to children's safety concerns. Oman and Qatar also prohibited the game on similar grounds. Jordan, Algeria, and Kuwait have taken similar actions to restrict Roblox access by limiting it to certain areas or countries to ensure children's safety on the internet.
The main reason for these bans is the chat feature in Roblox. This feature lets kids have conversations with unknown people, which is apparently a concern for certain administrations. Research has indicated that the platform’s games might influence children's behavior dramatically.
Many countries are now watching online games closely. They want to make sure children are protected. Roblox may work with governments to bring online gaming back while ensuring child safety.
As online games grow in popularity, parents and authorities are paying more attention to children’s online activity. Roblox and other platforms might need to make big changes to meet safety rules and local laws. The bans show that protecting children online is more important than ever.
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